How long to be in the coop before free roaming?

[chantald]

I'm getting 5 or 6, 6 weekers tonight to add ot the flock.. hahaha.. DH will flip..maybe he won't notice..

How long should the newbies be kept in the coop before they imprint that it's home?

 

[Chick_in_Indiana]

About a week or two. Do you have others that free range? What I did was take a chunck of chicken fence 2 ft high and about 10 ft long and just make a little area right outside the door so they got used to going in and out on there own w/o me having to chase them at night. Evently after a few days they start to jump over it so that's when I knew the were comfortable enough to go out futher on their own. It has worked great for me in the past. Good luck!

 

[chantald]

Yes, the other 15 free roam.. and hate to be locked up..

 

[Chick_in_Indiana]

Quote:
I think they will be fine after a week. Will they be in the same coop as the big ones?

 

[chantald]

They currently are in the same coop as the bigger ones. Aside from some jockeying for position.. they are being ignored.. probably because the big ones come in at dusk and settle down to sleep..

 

[hollyinpa]

Today I let the girls explore the yard a bit more - under my supervison, of course. They were curious about their big sisters' coop/henhouse and Gladys protested a bit about it.

The little chicks are growing quickly, are fully feathered, and ready to explore the yard more than I am ready for them to explore the yard.

They spent the night outside for the first time last night and survived despite huddling together near the door instead of cozying up in the bin with pine shavings or up on the covered roost. Silly chicks.

When their new coop arrives next Thursday I will help them learn a better "bedtime" routine.

 

[chantald]

so cute! Love the coop!

 

[hollyinpa]

Quote:
That coop was purchased online and delivered as a "kit". It was easy to assemble and easily houses 3 hens. We extended the run though - to give the gals more room.

Our new coop arrives next week and the smaller coop will be used for a bit longer before we combine the chicks with the two sister hens....