Getting my flock---need assimilation advice, please!

[PlaidBattleAxe]

I'm extremely fortunate to have a friend who is gifting me with 5 adult buff orpington hens and 1 buff orp rooster. They are an established flock (gleaned from her larger flock, to help thin out her growing numbers). I've never had chickens before. I've got the coop in completion stages with 4 laying boxes (to expand our numbers later), two roosts that are ladder style, and I've just got to get the horizontal waterer in place. My question is---what do I do once I get my birds? Someone DH knows told him that they need sequestered in the coop for two days or so, and not let out at all, to establish their sense of new sanctuary. Is that true? I wasn't going to put a feeder in the coop until the cold weather sets in, but I will if that is what I should do to help them assimilate...What do you suggest? Any advice is much appreciated!

 

[bobbi-j]

Are you going to have a run attached to your coop? If so, you could keep them locked in the coop/run for a few days. It does help to keep them where you want them to be sleeping for a few days so they get the idea that that is home. How big will the coop be? Will they have plenty of room? Does it have enough ventilation? Will it get too hot? If they'll be crowded and too hot, you may have to figure something else out.

 

[PlaidBattleAxe]

My coop is 5ft longx4ft ft wide and 4 1/2 ft tall, and the run is enclosed with hardware cloth and attached to the coop and is not finished yet (it will be by the time I get them) but should be close to 15ft long by 5 ft wide and 4 ft high. It is well ventilated with a window and the roof vents run the length of the coop and are about 3 inches wide and covered in gutter mesh so nothing can chew/squeeze through. I'm hoping the coop will be roomy enough for them. I've read that buff orpingtons are larger birds with the roosters reach around 10lbs... The run also does have the top covered, so no birds of prey can get in. Thank you for your input, I appreciate it.

 

[bobbi-j]

That should be plenty of room to keep them contained for a few days. I usually do it for a week, but that's my preference.

 

[PlaidBattleAxe]

Thanks!

 

[aart]

Coop sounds kinda small, especially once you get a feeder and waterer in there, run sounds pretty good.
Most recommended is 4 sq ft per bird in the coop and 10 sqft in the run. I've found that to be a minimum, especially when winter hits. They'll probably all get along, being from the same flock.

Good to keep them in the coop for a few days to get them used to it, then let them have the run too.

Do you plan to free range at all?
Good Luck, Have Fun!!