How to move chicks to coop

[Jessica 123]

Hello,

I am wondering how people moved their chickens to the coop from the brooder. My chicks are almost feathered in and are almost ready to go outside. How did the chickens adjust to the coop and did they know to go in the coop when it was dark.

Thanks!

 

[ChickenCurt]

I just put mine in the coop for a day or two before opening the door to allow them to free range. You can transport them with a bucket if your brooder is too large to move. If you have other chickens put some field fencing in your coop to create an area that the chicks can escape to that the larger chickens can't go through. This will help them acclimate to the flock as well. Beyond that, nothing to it

 

[LikeTurkeys]

I just kept the door closed for a few days while they adjusted. Within a week they would come home at night. Of course, you could always just put them out and then repeatedly bring them in at dusk. That should do it I think.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello,

I am wondering how people moved their chickens to the coop from the brooder. My chicks are almost feathered in and are almost ready to go outside. How did the chickens adjust to the coop and did they know to go in the coop when it was dark.

Thanks!

Hello, Jessica, and welcome to BYC!

I moved my first brood to their coop when they were 5.5 weeks old. They would pile into a nest box at night to stay warm.

Is your coop elevated? Does it have an attached secure run?

If the run is predator proof and ready, you can let them out to explore it. If they have to use a ramp to get back in, they will need a little training to use it.

If your coop is not well lit, they may be reluctant to go back in a dusk as they are unsure of their new surroundings. You will need to help them.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Do you have other chickens already? If not, you can just put them straight into the coop and lock them in for a few days (or even longer, if the coop is spacious enough) and that will help them home themselves to the coop.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Well, I open the door between the two . I brood in a section of the main coop....at 3 weeks the chick portal is opened and integration begins, by weeks it's done and the panel that separates the two is removed and stored for next time

 

[Jessica 123]

Hello, Jessica, and welcome to BYC!

I moved my first brood to their coop when they were 5.5 weeks old. They would pile into a nest box at night to stay warm.

Is your coop elevated? Does it have an attached secure run?

If the run is predator proof and ready, you can let them out to explore it. If they have to use a ramp to get back in, they will need a little training to use it.

If your coop is not well lit, they may be reluctant to go back in a dusk as they are unsure of their new surroundings. You will need to help them.

I have a run attached and a automatic chicken door installed to the coop. So I might just keep them out there in the coop at first and then open the door up showing them they need to return to the coop! thanks so much for the response!