How do you swap coops?

[mamasnowwolf]

Hi all,
This is confusing so I hope to explain it as best I can. I have 2 coops. Small coop has 14 birds which is way too much for that coop especially now that the 5 babies are getting big. The small coop has our prized cock that we use for show in 4-H. This coop has roosting bars near the ceiling and despite our best efforts, the cock (and often the hens) get frostbite on their combs. I have tried everything from coating their combs to putting a heater by the bars. It is inevitable that at one time the cold will kick in and there goes the points on the comb.
The big coop has 10 birds. Perfect size flock for the smaller coop. This is not our prized cock. He has temperament issues that prevents him from being handled. He also has some coloration issues so he's defiantly not a show bird. I will do my best to prevent frostbite, but if he gets it, I'm not going to cry over it.
I want to switch coops. I figured it would be the easiest way to keep the birds somewhat happy in a new location. I want to do this now before we start getting freezing temperatures.
This is where it gets confusing. The Partridge rock cock is the one that needs to move to the small coop with his flock. Among his flock are 4 pullets that we bought over the summer. They were never really accepted by the flock and hang out in their own group. I would like to put them in with the RIR flock. The RIR will be moving into the big coop. I want to keep the pullets there. (I know I have to introduce them at night)
So the questions are:
How hard is it to just swap coops with the flocks intact as they are?
Is it wise to move the pullets back to the old home right after the move or should I wait until things settle down?

Thanks.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Hi all,
This is confusing so I hope to explain it as best I can. I have 2 coops. Small coop has 14 birds which is way too much for that coop especially now that the 5 babies are getting big. The small coop has our prized cock that we use for show in 4-H. This coop has roosting bars near the ceiling and despite our best efforts, the cock (and often the hens) get frostbite on their combs. I have tried everything from coating their combs to putting a heater by the bars. It is inevitable that at one time the cold will kick in and there goes the points on the comb.
The big coop has 10 birds. Perfect size flock for the smaller coop. This is not our prized cock. He has temperament issues that prevents him from being handled. He also has some coloration issues so he's defiantly not a show bird. I will do my best to prevent frostbite, but if he gets it, I'm not going to cry over it.
I want to switch coops. I figured it would be the easiest way to keep the birds somewhat happy in a new location. I want to do this now before we start getting freezing temperatures.
This is where it gets confusing. The Partridge rock cock is the one that needs to move to the small coop with his flock. Among his flock are 4 pullets that we bought over the summer. They were never really accepted by the flock and hang out in their own group. I would like to put them in with the RIR flock. The RIR will be moving into the big coop. I want to keep the pullets there. (I know I have to introduce them at night)
So the questions are:
How hard is it to just swap coops with the flocks intact as they are?
Is it wise to move the pullets back to the old home right after the move or should I wait until things settle down?

Thanks.

Why not just keep the pullets in the coop and don't move them at all, just the ones you need to move?

 

[mamasnowwolf]

Why not just keep the pullets in the coop and don't move them at all, just the ones you need to move?

I want to make sure the pullets will be accepted by the new flock. I've had chickens for a couple of years, but there's sooooooo much I don't know.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I want to make sure the pullets will be accepted by the new flock. I've had chickens for a couple of years, but there's sooooooo much I don't know.

They won't be any more accepted by moving them around.

 

[Mrs. K]

Do you have attached runs? Because while moving them at night will be a fair amount of work, unless it is their only option, they are going to go back to their original coop the next night. I know a lot of people say to lock them in the coop, but I always worry about it getting too hot in there.

I agree with JacinLarkwell. Depending on your set up, sometimes the best times to add something is when you have everything discombobulated. Look in the coop that you want to keep the pullets. Even though they are younger, they will have some home court advantage. I don't think you really will have too much trouble with keeping them there.

Put a pallet, that the pullets can get behind in the coop, just in case. If you have clutter in your run (if you don't, add some) but rearrange it can just keep things a little off kilter.

Do put up multiple feed bowls in several places, behind some mini walls or under something. A bird eating at one should not be able to see a bird eating at another.

Good luck.

Mrs K