Integrating Pullets into Free-Range Flock

[Circumspice Farms]

At the end of March, we purchased 23 pullet chicks. After moving them from the brooder, we've been keeping them in a movable tractor in our yard -- something I thought of as a short-term solution, but one that's persisted all summer.

In about three weeks, we're going to need that tractor for our next batch of meat chickens, so I'm wondering if anybody has advice on acclimating these pullets to a free-range life?

Here are the details
23 young pullets in the tractor (mixed flock)
6 adult laying hens, free-ranging
1 chicken coop (small, but with enough room for everyone to live and lay in)
No covered run

Does anybody have suggestions for how I can acclimate my 23 pullets to free-range living? Is the best course just to shut them in the coop for several days until they start to recognize it as "home"? I don't have time or resources this summer to build new structures for my chickens, so I've got to find a way to make it work with what I've got.

Thanks!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I generally move mine out to the coop and keep them confined for a week or so, than I start opening up their pen. They go a short way initially. It takes some time before they start ranging far. Mine have been in the shed for 4 weeks now and they are finally coming out about 20-30 feet. Mine are currently 8 weeks.

 

[aart]

1 chicken coop (small, but with enough room for everyone to live and lay in)

This will be your bottle neck.
How big (in feet by feet) is "enough room" in coop and how much roost length is there??
The 6 may be overwhelmed by the 23.

Are the pullets ranging from their tractor, then sleeping in there at night??
I'd start with that, put tractor near main coop and let them out late the in day, an hour before roosting time. They won't go far and should go back to tractor to roost/sleep. Then they can start mingling with the 6 and you can see how that goes. Let them out earlier each day...eventually take away the tractor and hope they go into coop at night.

Oh, and, Welcome to BYC!