Moving mama hen and 4 week chicks to new coop

[bhawk-23]

Hello, I am need of advice on how to get mama to move into the larger coop with her chicks. They have been in a smaller on located in the corner of the run since hatching which has worked out well. But we are approaching the need for a larger space. We have the large chicken coop unoccupied by the hens as they prefer to roost outside in the winterized run so this would be perfect! But how do I encourage her to move them all up there? Any and all advice/experience appreciated! Thank you!

I am just in awe of how she gets all her chicks under her!!! Hahaha

 

[MarkJr]

Toss them in and shut the door. Give her a couple nights and open it up. She will march them right back in at dark.
Close off other area just to be safe.

 

[BDutch]

Is there a run attached to this bigger coop? Or do they share the run?
can you post a photo of the bigger coop? Is there natural light in it ? Or can you ad some light if necessary?

moving the hen with the chicks shouldn’t be a problem if the coop and outside space is good.

 

[bhawk-23]

Toss them in and shut the door. Give her a couple nights and open it up. She will march them right back in at dark.
Close off other area just to be safe.

Oh crap! That requires catching them all!!! Nighttime would probably be best? And I can't lock them in for a few days because that is where the nest boxes are. Maybe if I continue to move them at night she will get the picture?
Certainly has been a learning process. And MOST DEFINITELY will build a better set up if we ever choose to hatch more chicks. It's been such a joy, but at the same time stressful wanting everything to be perfect, which it never is.

 

[MarkJr]

Is the coop and run isolated from old setup?

Swap them over after dark and put them in their new safe spot. Each evening herd them back into it.
Broody hens with chicks aren’t picky. Safe, dry and draft free is all they’re worried about to nest up at night.

 

[bhawk-23]

Is there a run attached to this bigger coop? Or do they share the run?
can you post a photo of the bigger coop? Is there natural light in it ? Or can you ad some light if necessary?

moving the hen with the chicks shouldn’t be a problem if the coop and outside space is good.

They free range all day (7:30 am-roosting time) with the flock. The hens go to roost and mama brings the chicks to their space.

 

[bhawk-23]

Is the coop and run isolated from old setup?

Swap them over after dark and put them in their new safe spot. Each evening herd them back into it.
Broody hens with chicks aren’t picky. Safe, dry and draft free is all they’re worried about to nest up at night.

This is good to know! And the big coop is nicer (IMO) than the space they have now. I'll start the transfer this weekend. Thank you!

 

[MarkJr]

They free range all day (7:30 am-roosting time) with the flock. The hens go to roost and mama brings the chicks to their space.

Block access to their normal spot and herd them the new one. If they have to enter run first, it should be fairly straight forward. She will find a spot in new coop and nest up