New Birds

[stevecatlin]

Hi all, I have ordered a coup and are awaiting delivery. I plan to buy 6 Hens and 1 Cock. My question is, how long should I keep the Chickens in the coup before letting them roam free in my garden?

 

[chickenenthusiasts5698]

Hi all, I have ordered a coup and are awaiting delivery. I plan to buy 6 Hens and 1 Cock. My question is, how long should I keep the Chickens in the coup before letting them roam free in my garden?

I’d say 1-2 weeks.

 

[stevecatlin]

Thankyou

 

[chickenenthusiasts5698]

Thankyou

I would sit with them about 30 minutes before they go to bed to make sure there are no stragglers.

 

[aart]

Hi all, I have ordered a coup and are awaiting delivery. I plan to buy 6 Hens and 1 Cock. My question is, how long should I keep the Chickens in the coup before letting them roam free in my garden?

Will you be getting baby chicks or adult birds?
You're in for a great adventure!
We like pics...of coops and birds!

Welcome to BYC! @stevecatlin
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Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
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[cmom]

I would leave them in for around a week then they will get comfortable with their new home. Are you getting chicks or more mature birds? Are you planning on hatching out chicks at some point in the future. Please post some pics. I love pics. Free ranging is ok but remember that sooner or later the predators will probably discover them and there may be losses. I don't free range anymore because of losses, but my birds all have nice large pens. Most people who free range have lost a bird or birds to predators. Consider predator proofing your new coop. If there is an opportunity the predators will find it. Everything likes chicken. Good luck and have fun...

 

[CatWhisperer]

Welcome to BYC! Need more details and pictures are worth thousands of words!

 

[Breakfast for dinner]

A timely post. Bringing home 4 month olds today.

 

[stevecatlin]

I would leave them in for around a week then they will get comfortable with their new home. Are you getting chicks or more mature birds? Are you planning on hatching out chicks at some point in the future. Please post some pics. I love pics. Free ranging is ok but remember that sooner or later the predators will probably discover them and there may be losses. I don't free range anymore because of losses, but my birds all have nice large pens. Most people who free range have lost a bird or birds to predators. Consider predator proofing your new coop. If there is an opportunity the predators will find it. Everything likes chicken. Good luck and have fun...

Hi, I am in South Africa and we are now mid Summer. I will be getting 6 Hens and 1 Rooster. The only Predator I am worried about is Rats and at night I have an Eagle Owl that visits my garden as I have 3 Aviaries with Finches, Quails and Canaries. The Owl cannot get to the birds but likes to sit on top of the cages and watch them. Oh and I have Cats that come around for the same reason, I have 2 one legged Canaries because of them, they claw the legs when they sit on the sides of the cage.

I plan to get Rhode Island Reds, layers and I hope to let one of them hatch Chicks for the experience, can't wait to get started

 

[cmom]

Rhode Island Reds aren't known to go broody. I have an incubator for incubating and hatching. I have pure (heritage) birds they do tend to go broody more than hatchery birds but still not a lot. I love my Reds. I also raise Rhode Island Whites and they are much more broody than the Reds.