Introducing new chicks

[Wisconsinted]

Hello, I have two new chicks we just moved out of the brooder. I have 2 adult barred rocks. We had 3 but one died in June having us buy two more. They are close to 8 weeks old and I made them a separate spot in run using fencing and made a temporary coop out of an old tote. I have a few questions. First they don't want to roost in coop. How do I make sure they do this? They love going in during day but wont sleep there. Secondly how long should I keep them in this temporary spot? The other adults butt up to them so can socialize and want them to get used to each other first.

 

[rosemarythyme]

For Q1: With roosting in the coop I assume you mean the tote? They haven't actually been with the adults at all yet, correct? If there's adults around to show them how, chicks generally start roosting sooner rather than later, but as they're in a separate "coop" the adults can't show them so it'll take them longer to figure it out.

For Q2: How long have you had them in see but no touch? As a general rule ideally you want the adults to lose most of their interest in them before you let them meet without a fence, and that usually takes 1-2 weeks.

 

[Wisconsinted]

For Q1: With roosting in the coop I assume you mean the tote? They haven't actually been with the adults at all yet, correct? If there's adults around to show them how, chicks generally start roosting sooner rather than later, but as they're in a separate "coop" the adults can't show them so it'll take them longer to figure it out.

For Q2: How long have you had them in see but no touch? As a general rule ideally you want the adults to lose most of their interest in them before you let them meet without a fence, and that usually takes 1-2 weeks.

It's been since yesterday. I was thinking 2 weeks so a week from this coming Saturday. They will be close to 10 weeks then.