Look But No Touch

[Mike121]

So in just a few weeks my pullets will all be around 8 weeks old. I'm wanting to get them out of their pen and let them out into the coop/run as they choose.

I see a lot of folks saying I should introduce them via look but don't touch. Right now the pullets are all in a pen that's inside the coop. Is this good enough for the look but don't touch? They've been in there since they were a week old. I certainly don't want any of them to get hurt by the adult chickens, but they'll also soon outgrow this little pen I've got them in.

Here are some pictures from inside the coop.

This first picture is a picture looking straight into the coop from the front door. You can see the edge of the chick pen door to the left there.

Here's a picture of the chick pen. As you can see, they already don't have a ton of space left in there and I'm guessing in a few weeks they'll be more than ready to get out of there!

Again, I'm simply asking if y'all think these pullets will be ok in a few weeks letting them out with the adults? If not, what should I do here?

 

[Debbie292d]

How many little ones do you have? I just see one.

If no other choice, you could put obstacles in the coop for them to hide under or behind if they're attacked, like pallets, chairs turned on their side, etc. The only thing is, when would they be able to come out and eat/drink? Would they all be let out to free-range or to a run where they'd get the food/water?

Very nice coop and set-up you have there!

 

[MommyGirl]

My chicks grow up in a pen inside of my pen as well and I usually introduce between 8 to 10 weeks with my big girls. Usually minimum amount of pecking but I always do it on a day that you have enough time to observe and intervene if necessary

 

[aart]

I'd have let them out, via tiny doors, at about 3 weeks.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/
Do they have a run?

Some clutter for hiding and multiple feeders and waterers would be good.
Good ideas for hiding places:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[Mike121]

The only thing is, when would they be able to come out and eat/drink? Would they all be let out to free-range or to a run where they'd get the food/water?

There are 12 of those little gals in there. Looks like most of them are hanging out over by the food/water.

So my plan is to leave their food and water inside the pen so they still have access to that. I'm thinking I'll probably just tie the right side door to the pen open (where the platform is) so they can come out whenever they decide to.

Very nice coop and set-up you have there!

Thank you! I just posted another thread with more photos and an explanation on how it all came together. You can see that here.

I'd have let them out, via tiny doors, at about 3 weeks.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/
Do they have a run?

Some clutter for hiding and multiple feeders and waterers would be good.
Good ideas for hiding places:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

Yes, there is a run off the back of the coop. It's roughly 43 foot long and 12 foot wide.

Thank y'all for the tips on hiding spaces! I'll definitely add some thing in there like that, and also out in the run.