Mixed sizes? Small Flock Advice

[SpazzDaUni]

This is where I'd change your plans. After supervised playtime I'd let them prove to me that they can get along in the run unsupervised for a couple of weeks before I tried locking them in the main coop at night with the others. Let them sleep separately for a while longer.

Your coop meets the requirements for square feet many people on this forum use for fully integrated chickens, but integration often takes more. There just isn't a lot of room in there for one to get away from another if it needs to. From your background I don't think you will have big problems being patient.

The morning after you lock them all in together at night, I'd be down there at the crack of dawn when they wake up to see how it is going, just in case. With mine that's usually just one or two mornings.

That makes a lot of sense! Totally can do! I used to breed African Cichlids (fish) and when introducing new species, they had to have extra room, lots of hiding spots, and territories had to be disturbed. Seems very similar in method.

And yeah, I'm not in any rush and I'm willing to take it slow to ensure health and happiness of the chickens. I am home all day, and I usually wake up early, so this shouldn't be a problem. Mr. Tide starts crowing at 4am, so I'll know when they're up.

Thank you!

 

[SpazzDaUni]

I think you have a very nice set up. And two coops are a sweet option to have.

What I would recommend (a focus of mine) is to add more clutter to your run. Pallets leaned against a wall, up on blocks so that birds can get under and on top. A roost in the run, chairs, ladders, boxes, mini walls of plywood, and maybe a wind shelter in the run will make it much more interesting to your chicken, give them much more exercise, and makes much more use of the vertical space.

If you look, you will realize that your chickens can see every other chicken 100% of the time. They have no way to step out of sight, to get away from each other. Especially in confined runs, especially while integrating new birds, the ability to get away, and disappear will allow your birds to get along much better.

Personally at those temperatures your chicks do not need extra heat, and could easily go outside, unless you want them inside for your own enjoyment.

Good luck,

Mrs K

Totally can do! I have about 6 quarter pallets and a few half pallets and I built a roost for the run today, so I can add those all in tomorrow. I think I have some blocks. For boxes, what material would you recommend? Wood or plastic? Also, we regretfully had to cut a dogwood tree down last summer but saved the trunk pieces. Could I stand some of those up in the run? I figured it would my OEGBs pullets some height, since they love flying. Thank you so much, I'm excited to make their run much more fun and safe for them!

And awesome! If they're ready without heat in your opinion, I'm also ready to have them enjoying outside without it. They are lovely to have nearby, but I know they'd love the space.

Thank you!