First week tips..

[getalab]

My 22 week old gals arrived from McMurrays today, in good shape and spirits. All ate crumbles and drank well, and so far are getting along together(3 Americauna 2 Barred Rock, and 1 S Wyandotte.) I blocked the nest boxes off until they've used the perches a few nights, and plan on 1 week in the coop before letting out in the 10x10 pen. Any tricks to get them used to me sooner? Mealworm treats maybe? Any supplements I could add to make their transition easier? Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[Percheron chick]

It's easiest to work with your chickens just as they get ready for bed. Let them get up on the roost and just give them a quick scratch. Move on before they protest too much. A little every night. They are easiest to pick up at this time too when they are ready for that. Personally, I would leave them be for a few days and let them settle in. They've probably had plenty of stress from the shipping. I wouldn't be surprised if your BRs started laying in a week or two once the dust settles.

As long as your run is covered and secure, I'd let them out now. They aren't going to go anywhere and you can quickly gather them up at night if they don't return to the coop. I would suspect that they have never been outside if they came from the hatchery and it's going to be a frightening venture out. They will probably all sit inside the door and gaze out for most of the first day. How they go out will tell you who's already the leader. The openings on the wire look to be 2x4 which is big for chickens. You might want to run some hardware cloth or chicken wire around the bottom just to be safe. You can take it down in a few weeks if you don't need it.

You've got a nice assortment of girls.

 

[donrae]

they don't need to be confined to the coop, let them out in the run. If you plan on free ranging, don't let them out of the run for a week or so just so they know where home is. But no need to keep them confined to a coop--that's pretty tight quarters.

I wouldn't try to have them get used to you sooner, I'd wait and take your time. You might want to handle them and have them be pets right away, but think of it from their perspective. Give them a good few weeks just to get used to each other and their new home. You can start feeding treats right away, just have them think of you as a source of good things, but I'd wait on handling or anything like that.

 

[getalab]

Thanks for the advice..let them out today, and they all had a big time doing what chickens do. Really glad they all seem to get along well, and the 2 BR's are already adjusting to me. Soon as they're well adjusted, free range time..thx again..

on the roost

 

[chickenneighbor]

Very pretty birds! Welcome to BYC!