New to Chickens - Question(s)

[21hens-incharge]

Now even though it is going to be rough keep them in that coop set up for a few weeks. Yup they will hate you...at first. They will come around.

Best time to add feed and water for the first week will be while they are asleep. Use as little light as possible to keep from waking them.

You can acclimate them to people by bringing small treats during the day and sitting quietly for short bits near them. Once they associate you with food you won't be able to shake them off.

 

[TexasSam]

They will get comfortable with the coop and roost inside but you will have to keep them inside the coop and run for A week maybe two. Don't lock them in the nest boxes if you do later you will have problems. Just shut them inside the coop. If they don't go to the coop at night then you will have to lock them in the coop for A few days

 

[Enchanted1s]

They will get comfortable with the coop and roost inside but you will have to keep them inside the coop and run for A week maybe two. Don't lock them in the nest boxes if you do later you will have problems. Just shut them inside the coop. If they don't go to the coop at night then you will have to lock them in the coop for A few days

OK - now I am a bit confused. I thought I read that I was supposed to lock them in their nest boxes at night? So far - they have been confined for less than 24 hours. Last night - at dusk - I locked them in the side with the nest boxes. I opened the door to the run at first light this morning. Is this wrong? I was NOT looking forward to being out there at the crack of dawn every morning anyway

 

[21hens-incharge]

OK I think perhaps there is a bit of confusion....

The part that has wood all around, a roost and accesses the nest box is the coop. The part with the wire around is the run.

If you are closing them in the wood box part at night that is proper. If you are closing them IN a nest within the box part that will lead to pooping in the nest itself and dirty eggs long term. Yes allowing them into the run that is attached to the coop is fine. Just don't let them all the way out as they will head back up the tree at night.

It takes a while for them to learn that the structure you provided is where they should go at night.

A few weeks of being confined to the coop and run you provided should "home" them to going there at dusk.

Yup up at dawn to let them out and out at dusk to close them in.

Even after they are homed to the coop the routine does not change. It takes dedication.

When you decide if you want to increase their coop and run space by building bigger if you make it supremely predator resistant you will be able to keep the pop door open.



Perhaps hard to see but this coop has a cattle panel hoop run.
If you do a search for hoop runs you will get a good idea what it looks like. I can leave the pop door open and this run was easy to build.

If you want some more pics let me know. I can take some. Today I am mucking out wet straw and working on a plastic cover to keep all the dang rain out. We are to have snow soon so I better get it done.

 

[andreanar]

I loved reading this!

 

[Enchanted1s]

Hey - speaking of those nest boxes. In this coop - the bottom of the nesting boxes has boards with spaces between - like a fence. I thought they would want some bedding in there. On one side of the divider, I put some mulch - on the other side, we put some hay. They apparently do not want ANYTHING in there. Three times, I have added more & each time they pull it all out of there and move it all to the middle - where there food, water & perch is. What's up with that? Should I be NOT putting anything there?

I feel so bad for these birds! They were happy and free - now they are NOT happy & in a tiny coop. I think I should have just put building material on the credit card instead of this tiny coop (even though this was one of the larger ones at 93"). I think I need to build them something bigger. I know I would not willingly come back to that tiny thing once freed! Hopefully, I can incorporate this tiny thing into the bigger one.

We have been discussing making the pen more chicken proof to give them a better place to live - but I just don't know that they will ever willingly go back in this little coop. In coming up with a plan to raise the fence of the pen, it dawned on me that it would not take much more materials to just build an 8' x 8' coop / run & they would probably be much more likely to willingly return.

 

[aart]

Patience. It's a big change for them and chickens don't like change.
I'd give them at least a week to adjust to any change in housing.

ETA:.... and even longer to get used to being confined and being around humans.

 

[21hens-incharge]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/category/coops.12/

There are tons of great coops and runs here.

A hoop coop would be able to keep them in and goats out. Mine is six feet tall and eight feet wide. The coop you bought will fit inside something like that.

They will calm down. It takes time though.

Keep reminding yourself the reason you are cooping them. Everything thinks chicken is delicious.

 

[TexasSam]

Sometimes you have to put A lip one the nest boxes to hold nesting materials in the do like to scatter stuff around. Also they will like having shelter later promise they just have to get settled chickens don't go with changes well. Before long they will be running to their coop before it gets dark you will see. Patience young padawan

 

[TexasSam]

The first coop I made out of an old fence good for no more than 5 chickens. The second set is of the nesting boxes. The third is of my big coop and feeder all the materials on both coops I got for free just by collecting stuff. I did buy the screws and the plywood. But all the framing material and roofing I found on CL or someone was throwing it away. These pics are to give you ideas and start your imagination. Chickens don't need A mansion they need A dry safe place