Hello, another Chicken Newbie here...with questions!!

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MyChickalees

MyChickalees

Chirping
5 Years
May 16, 2014
33
1
64
Tampa, Florida
I have been asking my Hubby to build me a coop for several years now, and now that the kids have left our nest...he is over the top with his desire to build a coop.
Which he is in the finishing stages of!
I was thinking a small store bought coop....but, NO...He is has gone COOP Crazy!!
I am not complaining...I am LOVING IT!
He says, he is doing it for ME...LOL
He is loving it as much as I am.... if NOT more! :)

Right now, we have 6 chicks in a brooder box that are 5 weeks old...doing wonderfully, and ready to move into the coop this weekend!

Any suggestions on how to make the transition as smooth as possible for them??
And US for that matter??
Thanks in advance!!
 
Hello :frow and Welcome To BYC! Congratulations on your new flock and coop! Sounds like it has turned into a family project! If the weather is nice the next fes days, you might want to take the chicks outside for "field trips" and let them get familiar with the coop and run for a day or two. When you finally put them in the coop for good, you can lock them in there for a few days so they get used to thinking of it as home (if they are going in and out of the coop during the field trips, you may not have to do that). At 5-6 weeks they should be close to fully feathered they shouldn't need any supplemental heat unless you get a real cold snap.
You might like to check out the BYC Learning Center, lots of good articles on all aspects of chicken keeping you'll find helpful. https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center And it is always fun to check out your state thread for chicken keeping neighbors https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/270925/find-your-states-thread
 
hi and welcome
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Welcome to BYC!

X2 on the field trips to the coop before hand. Helps them get over the fear of being some place new, especially on that first night. Block off all nest boxes as well as babies love to sleep in them and this is not a good habit. Try to get them up on the roost bars and roosting too. If you don't have a roost bar in the brooder, it will take them time to learn how to roost in the coop.

Good luck with your new babies and welcome to our flock!
 
Someone should write instructions for humans, in regard to dealing with empty nest syndrome when the little brooder mates go off to live in the big chicken coop.
hit.gif
 
This is the second time around for me....now that you mention it! Kids gone now chicks moving out!
Seems as if the nurturing, never goes away!
Thanks so much for the warm welcome!
I am gonna be a frequent flyer around these parts! :)
 
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Welcome to BYC
frow.gif
Glad you joined us! Your chicks are adorable. Moving them to the coop can be traumatic for them and their humans. Just make sure they are warm enough at there and try to ignore the pitiful cheeping. By the second night things will go smoother.
 

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