Wendy Bee
Songster
The main question up front - details why I'm asking to follow: Can I just put the six new 7 week old chicks (5 for sure hens, 1 maybe roo) in the coop/run tonight, hope they roost with the existing chickens, and then let them 'run' with the older (six month old chickens - 8 hens, 2 roos) and go out and free range during the day?
Now for the details: Chicks have, for many weeks, been out in the yard under a trampoline with hardware cloth around it during the day, and the existing flock has 'visited' them regularly. We have had no concerns about aggression of the existing flock toward the new flock.
I ask the question, because when we put the original 10 out in the coop/run, we just kept the door closed for about a week so they would learn where their home was, and then let them out to free range during the daytime after that. It worked great!
So my questions are these: Do we keep all the chickens closed in together for about a week so the new chickens learn that it's their new home? Or will they just go with the flock when/if we let them out and come back when they come back?
I can't contain just the young chickens and close the door for the day - the older hens come in and out throughout the day to use the nesting boxes.
I know the older chickens will be miffed if they don't get their outside time, but I don't want to jeopardize the younger chickens, either.
We also keep the pop door open to the run for the 10 original chickens. Food and water are in the run - they are free to come and go from coop to run. Should we close the pop door at night to keep the younger chickens in - translation - to keep the bigger chickens from chasing them out? Would they do such a thing?
If we do close it, should we put food and water in the coop for the younger chickens who are used to having it in their brooder (we did this for the original 10)?
I'm also considering putting a cardboard box or two in the run for 'safe' places for the chicks. We'll also be adding a feeder to the run, and have a third feeder, if we need to add another. Two waterers are available now.
Additional info: Coop 6x8, Run 26x8
(Cardboard is currently on the windows for nighttime drafts. We've had Covid in our household of 8 this month, so we're behind on getting the windows installed - will be happening in the next couple of weeks)
(pardon the appearance of the nesting box - still needs finishing touches)
Guidance?
Thank you!
Now for the details: Chicks have, for many weeks, been out in the yard under a trampoline with hardware cloth around it during the day, and the existing flock has 'visited' them regularly. We have had no concerns about aggression of the existing flock toward the new flock.
I ask the question, because when we put the original 10 out in the coop/run, we just kept the door closed for about a week so they would learn where their home was, and then let them out to free range during the daytime after that. It worked great!
So my questions are these: Do we keep all the chickens closed in together for about a week so the new chickens learn that it's their new home? Or will they just go with the flock when/if we let them out and come back when they come back?
I can't contain just the young chickens and close the door for the day - the older hens come in and out throughout the day to use the nesting boxes.
I know the older chickens will be miffed if they don't get their outside time, but I don't want to jeopardize the younger chickens, either.
We also keep the pop door open to the run for the 10 original chickens. Food and water are in the run - they are free to come and go from coop to run. Should we close the pop door at night to keep the younger chickens in - translation - to keep the bigger chickens from chasing them out? Would they do such a thing?
If we do close it, should we put food and water in the coop for the younger chickens who are used to having it in their brooder (we did this for the original 10)?
I'm also considering putting a cardboard box or two in the run for 'safe' places for the chicks. We'll also be adding a feeder to the run, and have a third feeder, if we need to add another. Two waterers are available now.
Additional info: Coop 6x8, Run 26x8
(Cardboard is currently on the windows for nighttime drafts. We've had Covid in our household of 8 this month, so we're behind on getting the windows installed - will be happening in the next couple of weeks)
(pardon the appearance of the nesting box - still needs finishing touches)
Guidance?
Thank you!