Moving new flock into new coop with old hens

[jp57]

Earlier this year we built a new chicken coop and enclosure to keep my girls toward the back of my property. They were using a smaller coop and enclosure for the last 3 years that was towards the front of my yard. I left the old coop there, I just kept it closed to keep them out of it (they free range). I moved 5 pullets out there a couple of weeks ago and they are getting to be about 10 weeks old. Soon, I'd like to put the newer girls in the new coop and enclosure with the older ones. I know to keep them locked in there for a week to get them used to it, but what should I do with my older ones that usually free range? I am thinking that locking them in too would cause them to be stressed and I don't want them taking it out on one the younger girls. Should I let the older hens out, but lock the enclosure so the little ones don't get out? I could put food and water outside of the enclosure for them.

 

[Mrs. K]

I am not a big proponent of locking birds in the coop, and I would not lock the older gals with the chicks. But I do have an attached run, and I will lock them in the run/coop set up.

What I would do is, let the old girls out, and put the new girls in and lock it up for a day. Let the littles out close to dark, let them mingle with the older ones> The older ones may give them a scuffle, but let them work it out. The old ones will go to bed first, and ten to one, the littles will go back to their old coop, and I would let them. Next day repeat, maybe letting the younger ones out a bit earlier in the day, let them go back to their coop if they want, but some might just go into the big girls coop.

When you get tired of these high jinx, let them out earlier in the day, and now keep their coop locked up. They may huddle near "their coop" if so, scoop them up, and put them in the big girls coop, now get out there early the next morning and open the door maybe even before dawn. Watch, make sure no one is getting killed, but let them work it out.

In a few days, it should be fine. good luck

Mrs K

 

[SurferchickinSB]

Earlier this year we built a new chicken coop and enclosure to keep my girls toward the back of my property. They were using a smaller coop and enclosure for the last 3 years that was towards the front of my yard. I left the old coop there, I just kept it closed to keep them out of it (they free range). I moved 5 pullets out there a couple of weeks ago and they are getting to be about 10 weeks old. Soon, I'd like to put the newer girls in the new coop and enclosure with the older ones. I know to keep them locked in there for a week to get them used to it, but what should I do with my older ones that usually free range? I am thinking that locking them in too would cause them to be stressed and I don't want them taking it out on one the younger girls. Should I let the older hens out, but lock the enclosure so the little ones don't get out? I could put food and water outside of the enclosure for them.

Is there anyway that you can move their original enclosure and home? I think that would make it easier for them if they can’t see their old place.

 

[jp57]

I was going to move the old coop into a run in shed that we have to keep for the future, but that shed is actually closer to the new coop at the back of the property. When I move it back there I was planning to put a tarp or something over it so it is out of view.