How long cooped-up?

A Merritt

In the Brooder
Dec 5, 2015
5
0
25
I have liberated 8 Gold Stars from a neighboring farm. How long do I keep my girls in captivity before they recognize their new coop as home?
 
Do you have a run for them or are you just gonna let them free range, with a run I would just let them out, without, I would probably keep them locked up for about two weeks or until they seem calm and contented in the coop and will see it as safe.
 
When we first got ours, we had a coop and a run. We decided to keep the door to the run shut thinking we'd let them get used to their new home so they don't do a runner! Turns out it wasn't the best idea, they were really shy, and after 3 days when we opened the door they didn't come out. We had to entice them out slowly with food. It's a differnt story now and they think they own the place, but I think it's your call. Our chickens get up at sunrise and want to be let out the run and go in themselves at sunset so they're pretty well behaved. Maybe see how they are for a couple of days and if they look like theyre settled then let them out?
 
Do you have a run for them or are you just gonna let them free range, with a run I would just let them out, without, I would probably keep them locked up for about two weeks or until they seem calm and contented in the coop and will see it as safe.
Agrees^^^
....but I would leave them just in the coop for a maybe a week, then into run for another week until they are comfortable going back to coop to roost.
Then start free ranging starting with just an hour or so before dark on the first day, slowly increasing range time over a few days.
 
Thank You for the advice. The girls have a small yard & go willingly in to the coop at Evening to sleep. I'll try letting them out for a short time in a week.
 

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