First Night out in Coop and now out with Big Chickens!

[CAjerseychick]

Hey all, just an update, my wee ones will be 5 weeks old next Tues and spent their FIRST night out in the coop with the big birds last night YAY. No more chickens in the house-- AND, after they spent the night together (I had the coop partitioned off to seperate the big birds from the little birds) they were so excited to have me open the coop door and wave an ear of corn-- the big birds squeezed right thru the 3 inch gap at the top of the partition (just a roll of poultry wire) and got all mixed up with the little birds-- and now they have been free ranging together in the back yard all morning! (Just a little pecking now and then, but there is multiple chick getaway stations and plenty of corn to distract every one-- they freeranged together yesterday too-- I read a book and supervised-- but am noting there is less pecking today-- am sooooo relieved I thought it would take forever.... But so far so good!

 

[RonC]

Glad they are getting along. Just watch them for a few days. I know the feeling when they finally get to go outside. What a relief from the noise and mess in the house. Now to worry about them outside.

 

[Edwards24]

Congrats on the successfull move. There will be some pecking as they have to be shown there place in the pecking order. As long as it isnt to violent you should have a happy and mingeling flock. The corn was a good idea as it is a great distraction for them.

 

[JohnBerry]

My wife will be happy to get her sewing room back next week. At that point they will be 8 weeks old.

 

[CAjerseychick]

Congrats on the successfull move. There will be some pecking as they have to be shown there place in the pecking order. As long as it isnt to violent you should have a happy and mingeling flock. The corn was a good idea as it is a great distraction for them.

They are fine once outdoors want to work towards not having to partition off the Coop (one big chick was inside of the roll of Poultry netting we were using this AM... it was fine but would rather do away w the partition if I can-- tonight or tommorrow I think-- will keep you guys updated-- the 3 big chicks and 15 littles def keep seperate as different " flocks" it is weird....

 

[Dahlisgrams]

Hey all, just an update, my wee ones will be 5 weeks old next Tues and spent their FIRST night out in the coop with the big birds last night YAY. No more chickens in the house-- AND, after they spent the night together (I had the coop partitioned off to seperate the big birds from the little birds) they were so excited to have me open the coop door and wave an ear of corn-- the big birds squeezed right thru the 3 inch gap at the top of the partition (just a roll of poultry wire) and got all mixed up with the little birds-- and now they have been free ranging together in the back yard all morning! (Just a little pecking now and then, but there is multiple chick getaway stations and plenty of corn to distract every one-- they freeranged together yesterday too-- I read a book and supervised-- but am noting there is less pecking today-- am sooooo relieved I thought it would take forever.... But so far so good!

This happened to me too!! LOL! Yay for things working out well. Sounds like you'll have a cohesive flock in no time. Excellent!

 

[MadHens]

Glad it's working out so well. I have a flock of 10 who are almost 9 weeks old (living in my garage) and a flock of 5 who are almost 15 weeks old (living in the coop). I've been introducing them slowly (separated by hardware cloth) during the day and will try to fully integrate them by the end of August. I'm already getting anxious about my two silkies (part of the younger group) and how they will make out during the integration process. Never thought I could get so anxious over chickens!

 

[Edwards24]

They are fine once outdoors want to work towards not having to partition off the Coop (one big chick was inside of the roll of Poultry netting we were using this AM... it was fine but would rather do away w the partition if I can-- tonight or tommorrow I think-- will keep you guys updated-- the 3 big chicks and 15 littles def keep seperate as different " flocks" it is weird....

You will have that for awhile just due to the fact the the little ones are still strangers. All should settle in once some time passes. Being outdoors is easier for them because it is less restricition and they can get away from each other if need be. Just keep an eye on them but from the sounds of it they seem like they will be alright.

 

[CAjerseychick]

You will have that for awhile just due to the fact the the little ones are still strangers. All should settle in once some time passes. Being outdoors is easier for them because it is less restricition and they can get away from each other if need be. Just keep an eye on them but from the sounds of it they seem like they will be alright.

Thanks for the reassurance...... this am they had actually switched places in the coop! The big ones had pushed their way to the front of the coop and the littles fled to the back of the coop behind the partition (they had pushed it away from the wall enough to squeeze through).. But were still seperated out, and behind the partition just switched places....