Gradual change or all at once?

[robynandbatman]

So we got a coop with 5 girls (2 barred rocks, 1 buff orphington cross, 1 sexlink, 1 aracauna cross) on Saturday. I want to redo the flooring, expand/divide the nesting box, move the roosts, as well as switch to straw since currently they are on shavings. Should I do things gradually? They are 2-3 years old and have been in this coop with each other for that entire time. They lay consistently well in the summers (5-7 eggs per day), but they said not so much in the winter (2-3 per day). My guess is due to the construction of the coop as it seems it would be chilly, hence the changes. I don't want to stress them out since we just moved them, but want to get these things done by winter. I live in Alaska. Thanks!

 

[aart]

Lack of eggs in winter has more to do with shorter length of daylight than cold temps.

 

[Hokum Coco]

I think the faster and sooner you get it done the better.

 

[teach1rusl]

They're going to be tramatized by the move anyhow, so might as well do it all now. Chickens don't like change, so rip that bandaid off all in one swoop...don't drag it out. Good luck!

 

[WoodlandWoman]

You might want to go by how stressed and frightened they seem.

I guess if it was me, I'd give them a couple of days to feel more comfortable going outside. Sometimes they hide in the coop the first day or two, because it's scary to be exposed in a new area they don't know. Wandering around in a new place can get you killed. After they start spending the days outside, you can work on the coop without having to force them outside. Bringing fresh food, water and snacks will make you a friend in a hurry, along with some gentle words. At that point, they'll probably want to see what you are doing and "help" you with the remodel. Mine are always very "helpful" with all projects, just like the dog.

If you decide to make the changes right away and you have to force them out of the coop, try to give snacks outside to distract them. That should help. Give them something to hide under, too, so they feel safer.

This is all assuming you have an attached run on the coop, that they'll be in. If you don't have a run, then I think you need to let them stay in the coop at first. This will help them bond with you and they can get used to the property gradually, after you let them out. Forcing them out loose in the yard right away, free range, while you make a disturbance in the coop, they might take off and not come back.

 

[robynandbatman]

Thanks everyone! They settled in just fine. Stayed in the coop and portion under it for the first day, but went into the run first thing the next morning. Laying well, taking greens from our hands and very sweet. It's been 4 days now and we're getting 5-7 eggs daily. The girls put themselves to bed around 10pm and are up around 7am pecking in the yard. I think I'll wait for the weekend and just do it all while they are out in the run area since they don't seem to get upset easily.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

That all sounds great! I'm glad things are going so well.

 

[robynandbatman]

Well we did it, totally redid the inside of the coop. Changed it all up and made them MAD I guess since we are now only getting 3 eggs per day. It's only been 3 days so we'll see if they come around.