Moving adult chickens to new home

[4511chickens]

We are getting 5 adult (2-3 years old) hens from a neighbor moving to NYC. They currently free range in a small backyard, but we will be keeping them in an 80ish square foot run most of the time. When they are transferred to the run (new coop too), we are moving them at dusk. Then, should we leave them in the run for a while so they can adjust? How long? We plan to let them out in our backyard when we are outside, but do we need to make sure they are used to the coop and run first?

 

[sourland]

Chickens hate change. Allow them a minimum of a week to adjust to their new coop/run. If after that they appear comfortable/non flighty allow them access to the backyard.

 

[4511chickens]

Chickens hate change. Allow them a minimum of a week to adjust to their new coop/run. If after that they appear comfortable/non flighty allow them access to the backyard.

Thank you! That was my guesstimate. They're docile and older but still new to us!

 

[aart]

Then, should we leave them in the run for a while so they can adjust? How long?

You should leave them in the coop(how big is that?) for a week so as to 'home' them to roosting there.

How far away is the neighbors place where they used to live?

 

[4511chickens]

The coop is the large nestera one. It is bigger than the one they are currently in. The neighbors are only a few blocks away.

 

[townchicks]

I recently got 3 adult hens, approximately four years old. I left them in the run, and 2 of them figured out the new coop that night. One wanted to roost on top, so I put her in the coop and after a coup!e of days she uses the coop most of the time. I left them in the run for a couple weeks before I let them out. Every evening I would hand out treats and make kissy noises, and now they come in when I make that sound and toss treats. If your yard is fenced, that should be fine. If not, you might need to give it more time.

 

[4511chickens]

I recently got 3 adult hens, approximately four years old. I left them in the run, and 2 of them figured out the new coop that night. One wanted to roost on top, so I put her in the coop and after a coup!e of days she uses the coop most of the time. I left them in the run for a couple weeks before I let them out. Every evening I would hand out treats and make kissy noises, and now they come in when I make that sound and toss treats. If your yard is fenced, that should be fine. If not, you might need to give it

Thank you!