Heading to the coop have a few questions

[smitty750]

I have 4-6 week old pullets and 5-5 week old pullets. Due to their difference in age they've been kept in separate brooder boxes, I let them out together to play in the yard almost everyday and there doesn't seem to be much aggression between them. My questions are this
1- will there be an issue when I introduce them all into their new coop this weekend? It's a 4'x8' coop
2- when first introducing them to the coop/run how long should I keep them in the coop before letting them out into the run? During the period of lockdown is it ok to go into the coop for cleaning maintenance etc?
3- anything else I should know when first putting them into the coop?

The run is completely enclosed and attached to the coop

 

[Judy]

If anything, they should be a little distracted by the new digs and less likely to attack each other. I don't see any reason to restrict their movement at all, unless you need to do this to clean, etc., which is fine.

Sometimes people lock their birds in the coop for a few das to teach them that it is home. When they are free range during the day, I can understand this, but if they are confined to a coop and run, it makes no sense to me. If the coop is comfortable, they should go in there to sleep on their own, at least as they mature.

 

[smitty750]

Thank you

 

[ronmauldin]

They are close enough in age you shouldn't have any issues. I keep new chicks confined to the coop for the first week. Helps a lot with getting them to go inside on their own at night afterwards. As far as you going in, that's highly encouraged. Mine get all excited and come running whenever I get near the coop/run. They like alot of social interaction.