New birds, first night at home. Could use some advice.

[GParkins]

Hi folks,

About a month ago, I finished my coop. For various reasons, we didn't get birds until today, but they arrived this afternoon. They are 8-week-old buff Orpington pullets. We put the first bedding in the henhouse, and let them out of the dog crate they traveled in. I hopped into the house, and sat down and started feeding them by hand, in an effort to get them accustomed to both us and their new surroundings.

I picked up a $2 bag of Purina "Start N Grow", a small tin chick feeder, a 1-quart inverted-bottle waterer, and a 5-lb bag of grit (for 10-week-old birds) They ate about a cup and a half of the feed (I mixed in about a teaspoon of the grit). They haven't found the waterer yet. I brought them home at about 5:00 this afternoon, and it's about 6PM now. it's 82 and muggy, as we just had a heavy rain. I took up the food dish after they finished it.

I think they're too young to make it to the perches I built, so I rigged a quickie perch 6" off the floor. They are fussing around in the bedding, acting like they're dusting. I suspect their intention is to nest on the floor of the house tonight.

My immediate questions are:

1) Do I need to put out more food? I plan on giving them a full feeder first thing in the morning.

2) Will they get curious and explore, thus finding the waterer, or do I need to lead them to it?

3) Roughly how much (by weight or volume) of food should I expect the six pullets to go through in a day?

4) How long should I confine them to the chicken house before I allow them into the enclosure? How long before I can let them out into the yard?

5) Should I be concerned if they don't roost at night? If not, is there an age when I should?

6) We have warm nights here (low 80s). At eight weeks old, how are they at maintaining body temperature?

Thanks very much to anyone that answers my questions, and without further ado, here are the girls:

 

[GParkins]

I should have waited before posting my questions.

A) they can hop up on the roosts just fine.

B) they had zero difficulty finding the waterer.

Sorry. First-time chicken farmer, and I'm a bit jumpy.

 

[gryeyes]

Hi folks, About a month ago, I finished my coop. For various reasons, we didn't get birds until today, but they arrived this afternoon. They are 8-week-old buff Orpington pullets. We put the first bedding in the henhouse, and let them out of the dog crate they traveled in. I hopped into the house, and sat down and started feeding them by hand, in an effort to get them accustomed to both us and their new surroundings. I picked up a $2 bag of Purina "Start N Grow", a small tin chick feeder, a 1-quart inverted-bottle waterer, and a 5-lb bag of grit (for 10-week-old birds) They ate about a cup and a half of the feed (I mixed in about a teaspoon of the grit). They haven't found the waterer yet. I brought them home at about 5:00 this afternoon, and it's about 6PM now. it's 82 and muggy, as we just had a heavy rain. I took up the food dish after they finished it. I think they're too young to make it to the perches I built, so I rigged a quickie perch 6" off the floor. They are fussing around in the bedding, acting like they're dusting. I suspect their intention is to nest on the floor of the house tonight. My immediate questions are: 1) Do I need to put out more food? I plan on giving them a full feeder first thing in the morning. I top off feeders at night when the birds coop up. 2) Will they get curious and explore, thus finding the waterer, or do I need to lead them to it? Theyll find it unless you hid it pretty well. 3) Roughly how much (by weight or volume) of food should I expect the six pullets to go through in a day? Somewhere I read two cups apiece. I don't measure.... Feed is available 24/7. 4) How long should I confine them to the chicken house before I allow them into the enclosure? two days and nights. How long before I can let them out into the yard?If, by "yard" you mean outside of their run enclosure, I'd go a week. Then I'd start letting them out about 30 minutes before dusk for a day or two, then increase the time to two hours in the afternoon. That way they will be wanting to coop up and not wander far... And be easier to herd back into the coop. 5) Should I be concerned if they don't roost at night? Nope. If not, is there an age when I should? As long as they are not sleeping in the nest boxes, it's really okay with me. It's been my experience chicks without mama hens don't learn to "roost" on roost bars u 'til some time around 10 - 12 weeks. It's a matter of balance, experience, and confidence. Not easy to balance and sleep on roost bars. 6) We have warm nights here (low 80s). At eight weeks old, how are they at maintaining body temperature? Theyll be fine, they're fully feathered anyway at that age. Thanks very much to anyone that answers my questions, and without further ado, here are the girls: