New and taking over a coop

[GonzoTheGreat]

I bought a house, and the owners offered us their chickens and coop. Today was Day 1 of actually owning the place, and the hens, and am trying to figure out what to do. I asked the sellers if they could pass on some knowledge to us...what breed are they, how old, what do they like to eat, ever need a vet...and we got back "they are chickens, and they lay eggs, they eat feed from the store". Great.

There are seven hens in the coop. The previous owners left a feeder, the big galvanized waterer, some food, some cracked corn, and the pine shaving bedding; so I have some basic supplies while I figure things out. Here are some things I am trying to figure out tonight anyway.

- I know they need to get out and stretch their legs. When I let the hens out of the coop to roam the yard, what should I expect? Just milling around, not too far from the coop? Or do they take off for every corner of the property? How much time is enough time? I have about a 4 foot tall fence, I assume they haven't taken off in the past.
- I've seen posts that suggest they'll go back in the coop on their own? Is that also expected? Or will I need to be chasing them down? Just trying to plan ahead.
- I know the cracked corn is a "treat". You just sprinkle some inside the coop and let them work it?
- The bedding is looking "rough" in my eyes, but what do I know. Should I just replace everything to be sure?

On the "uh-oh" side, I observed a couple things today that were concerning.
- One hen is missing a bunch of feathers on the neck. Like bare. I didn't look all that closely, but I don't remember one being like that a week ago when I came through for an inspection of the house, so I think it is fairly recent.
- Some broken eggshells were inside. I guess someone might be damaging the eggs? There was one egg in the box today when I checked, but it was unfortunately a little crushed on the end....like it was dropped, not pecked.

Another note is that the folks who sold us the house split up. I'm going to guess the guy who was living there last is not the person who wanted a flock of chickens in the yard, so I am also guessing they've been cooped up for a while. He fed them, they have water, must have been taking eggs out, but I'm not sure there was much else going on. Or at minimum, cooped up a lot because moving is a busy time. I understand that could explain the missing feathers, if they've been locked down for a while.

So I'd appreciate some help with these questions, while I keep researching stuff, and any other suggestions for someone taking over an existing flock.

Tips for helping them co-exist with two dogs would be helpful too. We'll see how that goes, but for now I'm tying to think of how to give them a barrier so they can get out of the coop and the dogs won't go and bother them. Thanks, and lots of good information here.

 

[MadisonOde]

Hello, and welcome to BYC! If you post photos, we can help you figure out what breeds you have. For the wandering issue, I would personally just let one hen out and see what she does and go from there. They should be able to fly over the fence though. You could look into wing clipping. They should go back into the coop on their own, around dusk. Mine go in even earlier sometimes. For the corn, just throw some in there and let them scratch at it. It’s good for a boredom buster. I would also replace the bedding just to be safe, straw works well for me. The hens could be picking at the other hen’s neck as a result of being cooped up, I would put pick no more on it for now and it should grow back as you take care of them. The eggshells could be a problem if you have egg eaters, but from the way you described it I’m guessing that they just trampled it and whoever was picking up didn’t in time. I would make sure the dogs and chickens aren’t outside at the same time as well. You never know what dogs will do. Hope this helps!

 

[LaserDeathChicken]

- I know they need to get out and stretch their legs. When I let the hens out of the coop to roam the yard, what should I expect? Just milling around, not too far from the coop? Or do they take off for every corner of the property? How much time is enough time? I have about a 4 foot tall fence, I assume they haven't taken off in the past.

This will depend on the chickens, but if they are used to this yard then that fence should be fine. Flocks seem to develop their own personality and change over time. Some of the hens may wander off on their own, or they may all stick together. If you have a good rooster, he will try to keep all the hens together and watch for predators. if there is no rooster, one of the hens may take that role. None of them may take that role and they may all amble around aimlessly. Your best thing to do here is to hang out and watch the behavior of your flock for the next few days and get a baseline on their normal. Don't be too worried, chickens tend to like routine.

Regarding how much time they should be out - we let ours out at the crack of dawn and close them when they go to sleep at night. If you don't want to let them wander the yard all the time every day, you may want to consider adding a run to the coop (if it does not already have one) - a good rule of thumb for an enclosed run attached to the coop is 10 square feet per chicken. If there is no run and just a smallish coop, they should spend most of the daylight hours roaming the yard.


- I've seen posts that suggest they'll go back in the coop on their own? Is that also expected? Or will I need to be chasing them down? Just trying to plan ahead.

If they have a regular coop they live in, they ought to go home at night on their own. Chickens can be stupid though. If the way home is obstructed, they may roost in weird places. If one of them goes broody, she may decide to nest in a strange place. If you're concerned, watch them as the sun gets low. They will gravitate home. What we do is after dark each night, we go out to the coop, make sure everyone is home and then close the coop.

- I know the cracked corn is a "treat". You just sprinkle some inside the coop and let them work it?

Yup. Just toss it on the ground and let them have fun. We yell "Chick chick chick" to announce food is coming. It's a behavioral training thing. Chickens are omnivores so if you have leftovers you can toss it to them as a treat as well.

- The bedding is looking "rough" in my eyes, but what do I know. Should I just replace everything to be sure?

Rough as in smelly and poop filled? Change it. Ammonia buildup in an enclosed space is not good for anyone, chickens included. Straw is cheaper than prepared bedding.

- One hen is missing a bunch of feathers on the neck. Like bare. I didn't look all that closely, but I don't remember one being like that a week ago when I came through for an inspection of the house, so I think it is fairly recent.

I would usually think that was a rooster being too rough in mating, but it can be hens getting bitchy with each other from being cooped up too long. It's nothing much to worry about unless you see blood, or it the feathers begin to really be missing, or you actually see the hen driven away from the flock by one of the other hens.

- Some broken eggshells were inside. I guess someone might be damaging the eggs? There was one egg in the box today when I checked, but it was unfortunately a little crushed on the end....like it was dropped, not pecked.

Chickens are stupid in a lot of ways, and thoughtless. Sometimes they'll just step on the eggs. Unless this becomes a regular thing, it's just something that happens once in awhile. If this is an everyday occurrence you need to figure out which one of them decided her eggs are food and jail her.

You asked a lot of great questions for a new chicken owner, you're going to be great at this.

 

[GonzoTheGreat]

Thanks for the replies. I know the information is out there somewhere, but I want to be prepared for going back over to the house today (we don't move in for another couple days). To clarify one thing, there is no rooster here, they are banned in town.

I'm looking forward to when we're done cleaning/moving, so I can observe the hens more and allow them to get back into a routine. As I noted before, they are probably out of wack with the previous owners getting busy/moving out, and now we're showing up.

Their coop has a small "run" area, that in my opinion should be bigger for 7 hens. (it is a similar design to this one, although I don't know how the dimensions compare - https://www.wayfair.com/pet/pdp/neo...th-roosting-bar-and-chicken-run-nmpc1001.html)

Long-term, I think we'd maintain fewer hens (it is just the two of us...so I don't need that many eggs), but I may still look into expansion at some point. Not knowing how old they are, who knows how long we'll have 7.

For the dogs (and chickens), I am looking for some temporary fencing to try and divide up the yard.

I also assume the "mobile" coops, where it will give the hens a chance to eat some bugs and stuff around the yard, isn't a replacement for just letting them walk around?

We're looking forward to giving them treats (not too many) once we get settled. When we get a chance, we're going to get some meal worms and try to make friends.

I'll grab some photos while they are out and come back for help with identifying them.

 

[Cryss]

I also assume the "mobile" coops, where it will give the hens a chance to eat some bugs and stuff around the yard, isn't a replacement for just letting them walk around?

Those are called chicken tractors. If you have predators, especially of the flying type, a chicken tractor is a perfect solution to get them out a bit.

Their coop has a small "run" area, that in my opinion should be bigger for 7 hens. (it is a similar design to this one, although I don't know how the dimensions compare - https://www.wayfair.com/pet/pdp/neo...th-roosting-bar-and-chicken-run-nmpc1001.html)

Is that the size of the coop and run? Ouch!
Some quick dimensions for you.
Indoor area (the coop) should minimally be 4sqft per bird. 7 birds would need 28sqft. This does not include the nesting area.
Outdoor area (the run) should minimally be 10sqft/bird, so 70sqft for your 7 ladies.
That could be the reason for crushed eggs, no room, crowding! Also the reason for fighting and feather loss!
While making adjustments don't make the mistake of making the coop and run bug enough for the birds you have or the number of birds you mean to start with. Go BIGGER! First of all bigger is better for them. There will be less incidents of violence between them. Second, and this is serious, chicken math is a real thing! You will want some new birds. Sometimes to replace passed birds. Sometimes to increase egg production. Sometimes to add colorful eggs to your basket. Sometimes to add a pretty gal. Sometimes because "Oh look! Chicks!"
Believe.

You're in a great place for answers and information on all things chicken. Welcome!

 

[VincentVanCrow]

Depending on your dogs temperment, you may be able to train them to coexist. I have a very rambunctious standard poodle as well as a terrier mix (who I suspect has a bully breed in his ancestry) and both completely ignore the chickens. They’ve been coexisting for 9 years. The poodle even goes in their run every now and then so his smell gets spread around to ward off raccoons. He’s very careful to avert his eyes as he goes through the actual coop. Both dogs initially wanted to chase the hens but we consistently yelled whenever they looked at them or went after them and within a month of getting each dog they had learned they are off limits. I 100% trust them with the hens. When the coop gets rats I will lock the poodle in there until he catches and kills the rat. The hens will stay out in their yard while he hunts the rat but when everyone is out in the yard they mostly ignore the dogs. They stroll by them the same as they do us.

Good luck. You’ll do great. Chickens are awesome pets and very entertaining. And for the most part they are easy to care for. Let them out in the morning, keep their dishes full, bedding dry, eggs collected and close them up at bedtime.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'll try to touch a bit on a few topics though overall you'll probably need to live with them a while and see how they do and how you're doing with them, and then make adjustments as needed.

When I let the hens out of the coop to roam the yard, what should I expect? Just milling around, not too far from the coop? Or do they take off for every corner of the property? How much time is enough time? I have about a 4 foot tall fence,

+ One hen is missing a bunch of feathers on the neck. Like bare. Some broken eggshells were inside. I guess someone might be damaging the eggs?

4' is pretty low but not all chickens are escape artists. Do you know if the previous owner let them out at all? While it's your call if you want to free range (letting them have the run of the property with no additional fencing) keep in mind they'll be more vulnerable to predators and can/will tear up the lawn and garden if they can access it. If that's not something you want to deal with, then a confined run with a minimum of 10 sq ft per chicken is another option.

Because the existing coop is likely too small and the lack of space seems to be causing behavioral issues (the featherless neck, crushed eggs) free range time or access to a larger run may help with some of those problems.

I've seen posts that suggest they'll go back in the coop on their own? Is that also expected? Or will I need to be chasing them down?

They should return on their own at sunset, since they've already been living there a while.

I know the cracked corn is a "treat". You just sprinkle some inside the coop and let them work it?

Usually you'd toss it on the ground and let them scratch around for it. If they happen to like the corn and you want to try and win them over, maybe save the treats only for when you're working with the chickens, so they associate you with treats!

The bedding is looking "rough" in my eyes, but what do I know. Should I just replace everything to be sure?

If there's a pretty strong odor it should be replaced. Small coops are tough, because they tend to need to be cleaned out a lot since the bedding gets soiled so quickly.

Tips for helping them co-exist with two dogs would be helpful too. We'll see how that goes, but for now I'm tying to think of how to give them a barrier so they can get out of the coop and the dogs won't go and bother them.

Some folks like to train their dogs to leave the chickens alone, but as I've had/have dogs that are prey driven I find it easier to just keep both groups completely separate. When the dogs go out, my chickens are always confined to their run - when the chickens are allowed out, the dogs are always in the house.

A "quick fix" as far as a barrier would be to get a dog kennel. Either put the chickens in it when dogs are out, or dogs in it when chickens are out.

 

[GonzoTheGreat]

Thanks for the additional info. I let them out for a bit yesterday, no one escaped. They just checked out a couple sections of evergreens and worked over the mulch/dirt under them...I assume getting some bugs? One was up on a tree branch (low evergreen branch). Threw a little corn back in the coops and they came in. Unfortunately I had to get back to work moving stuff, and don't want to just leave them alone until I've observed them for longer.

I also found three eggs inside the coop, not in the nesting box. Is that "correctable", or do some chickens just do their own thing? They were grouped together, so I assume it may be the same hen?

We definitely have an egg destroyer though, I found one egg in the box with a beak sized hole in it.

More moving today, but will try to get some pictures today or tomorrow. We think one is a Wyandotte based on the plumage.

 

[aart]

Sounds like you're doing fine.
Get moved in, then post pics of coop and birds and we'll help you finger it all out.

 

[Cryss]

I also found three eggs inside the coop, not in the nesting box. Is that "correctable", or do some chickens just do their own thing? They were grouped together, so I assume it may be the same hen?

Not sure about it being correctable. They probably will lay in the nests too but occasionally they do their own thing.
No, you cannot assume they are all from the same hen. You can only assume that each hen will lay only one egg on the day it lays an egg. Some lay 6 days a week, some only 1X a week. It depends on the breed.But you'll find that they all will want to lay their eggs in the same nest. That's why you generally only need 1 nest for about 4 or so hens. A broody hen will sit and hatch a clutch of eggs no matter who laid them or how many different hens eggs are under her.