Learning a lot = some confusion

[CovenantCreek]

I started with 6 started pullets first (July '07). I ended up putting their coop in the back of my hay shed. Then after a few months ordered some hatching eggs (the first of them hatched 1 yr ago today). I decided to get a separate coop for them rather than try to integrate 19 chicks in with the big girls (by this time I only had 5 pullets). I was able to use the new coop as the brooder for the chicks which worked out really well.

It was probably March or April before I started letting the "kids" out of their coop, initially in fenced area, then free-range. By this time I was down to 10 after giving away the extra cockerels. Once they were out in the real world and encountering the big girls (down to 4) there were only a few pecking order issues to be ironed out between them.

Here we are the kids' first birthday and 2 of the girls have taken up residence in the big girls' coop. They spent the first few nights on the lower roosts, but now get to share the highest roost with the others. During the day the poor rooster has to watch over all 12 hens. It's quite a sight to see them cruising around the yard together.

All that to say, your plan to have separate accommodations for the separate flocks is a good one, though given time and opportunity they'll integrate themselves.

 

[cmom]

Here is a great reference book, Gail Damerow's 'Storey's Guide to Chickens' is an excellent guide, as well as this web site.
Also here are some other good sites.

http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKPoultryPage.html
http://www.mypetchicken.com/aboutChickens.aspx

 

[LynneP]

Welcome, peepless, your research will pay off!

One option is to populate one side of your dual coop, raise a dozen layers or so from scratch, meaning day-olds. That way you'll handle them and learn about the various stages and they'll become attached to you. If you get a roo by mistake or have a sick bird, you have the other part of the coop for segregation. By the time these hens are laying you'll have learned a huge amount, and it's pure joy!

Just like humans, birds are subject to various diseases and traumas, but if you give yourself time to learn, obtain innoculated birds and set up to avoid trauma and disease you'll be well on your way. Consider having a 'closed flock'.

Don't occupy the other part of your coop for another two years or so- when your first layers may be producing less. That way you'll have two independent flocks, probably free of disease, and a continuing supply of eggs. You will have learned so much from the first flock that any changes you want will be possible. Another benefit of a spare area is so that if you need to renovate the original space you have a backup area.

My 2 cents...

 

[peeplessinNC]

Thank you all for your thoughtful replies. I can see that there are more than a few ways to start and manage a flock. I have read the Storey book by Gail Damerow and will probably buy my own copy when it looks like I can have "backyard chickens."

For the moment I am in a town with No Chickens Allowed! So it might be a while until I can change my circumstances. In the meantime I read and learn as much as I can. Also, I'm raising chickens in the virtual world by following all your posts on your flocks. This is a wonderful group of people here and a great web site!

Teresa