How to coop a new flock

[Chm1981]

Hi all! I am going to put my older girls in the coop for a few days to try and get them accustomed to going in at dark, currently I carry them in at night which is easy since there are only a few. What do I do when I bring the other girls out in about a month or so? Do I have to lock everyone, older girls included back in for a few days? I am going to move the brooder to the run for a bit of intro time prior to this just not sure how to get them all in at night without me carrying them in one at a time which is not sustainable. Pics of coop and run included. Thanks for any help!

 

[Mrs. K]

What I would do, is put a box or a small dog crate in your brooder. At dark, they will go in the box or dog crate, with a little encouragement. Life the box out and put it in the coop. In the morning, put them back in the brooder.

When you are ready to mix them, lift the brooder fence up off the ground, so the chicks can go in and out. They will associate that place with safety. After a day or two, just put the box in the coop, so that they can get out when they wake up. Put the box back in the run, maybe one more night, then just leave it in the coop, and I will bet you a doughnut they will be there.

Mrs K