Moved existing free-range flock to new coop; how long should they be locked in the coop?

[humblehillsfarm]

Hello all,

We’ve been working on a big project coop build. It was finally completed to the point that we could at least move in the chickens. The flock free ranges, so my question is, how long should I lock them in their new space to orient them to return to their new coop and lay eggs in their new nest boxes?

They have plenty of space. There are 17 birds and 100 sq feet of floor space.

 

[DobieLover]

Did you remove their old coop? I'd do three days and see how it goes. How's the ventilation in there with that open waterer? I wouldn't want them locked in with that for very long and the below freezing night temps in PA this time of year.

When I moved my flock I never locked them into their new coop. I locked them OUT of their old coop. I left the lights on in their new coop the first night so they could explore it and get to know where things were. There was even an egg waiting for me in a box the next morning. Many hens were loitering around the gate to their old coop after I let them out of their new one but soon gave up and went back to the new coop to lay.
Roost time may be difficult as they may not head back to the right coop. I had to heard the flock to the new coop pop door three nights in a row before they went there on their own.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Did you remove their old coop? I'd do three days and see how it goes. How's the ventilation in there with that open waterer? I wouldn't want them locked in with that for very long and the below freezing night temps in PA this time of year.

Also I typically never leave water in the coop but plan to remove it nightly due to cold temps and excess humidity. They went to bed without water and I added it this morning before daylight.
When I moved my flock I never locked them into their new coop. I locked them OUT of their old coop. I left the lights on in their new coop the first night so they could explore it and get to know where things were. There was even an egg waiting for me in a box the next morning. Many hens were loitering around the gate to their old coop after I let them out of their new one but soon gave up and went back to the new coop to lay.
Roost time may be difficult as they may not head back to the right coop. I had to heard the flock to the new coop pop door three nights in a row before they went there on their own.

The entire building is 10’x20’ with the ability to have entirely open rafters, but some of the spaces in between the rafters are covered with styrofoam because it was a little too much air moving. It was 11*F last night so I left an electric heater running on low, but it’s getting removed tonight. It felt to be around 30*F-35*F in there this morning. Just enough to take the edge off the worst of the chill. I only left it there because it is a brand new dust-free coop, and the heater was on in the storage area, which is totally empty. I also scoop poop religiously and intend to visit them throughout the day and scoop up any larger piles.

The old coop is still present. I’m not even sure what to do with it really. There is bad carpenter bee damage to the walls, and claw marks from bears all over it lol. But it isn’t in the worst shape either.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I was thinking of leaving them locked in two nights, last night and tonight, and letting them out tomorrow morning to see if they return to the coop on their own.

 

[mowin]

I would do at least 3 nights. Definitely make the old coop inaccessible.
When you do let them out the first time, I'd do it a hr or so before roost time.

 

[DobieLover]

The old coop is still present. I’m not even sure what to do with it really. There is bad carpenter bee damage to the walls, and claw marks from bears all over it lol. But it isn’t in the worst shape either.

Sounds like a good fuel source for a bonfire.
If you think someone could fix it up, you could post it for free on CL or a FB Poultry group.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Sounds like a good fuel source for a bonfire.
If you think someone could fix it up, you could post it for free on CL or a FB Poultry group.

It’s emotionally hard to do that because it worked so well for us until we up and moved to bear country. Our new coop has metal siding though so hopefully carpenter bees won’t be an issue anymore either. We paid a lot of money for it only for Mother Nature to beat it down so quickly!

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I would do at least 3 nights. Definitely make the old coop inaccessible.
When you do let them out the first time, I'd do it a hr or so before roost time.

My gut was telling me letting them out close to bed time would help them navigate back to the correct home. Thank you.

 

[mowin]

Sounds like a hot wire around your coop is definitely needed.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Sounds like a hot wire around your coop is definitely needed.

It is, but bears are big, hairy, and the persistent unfortunately.