Panicking a bit over travel plans… need expert advice

[Thrilled Chicken Mama]

Honestly I'd just rush them through the rest of integration. They're already together during the day, so lock up the brooder permanently, and put them into the adult coop at night. They should be able to rehome themselves to the adult coop within a couple of days, even if they don't roost.

It's never taken me longer than a week and a half to get chicks (4 week olds) to coop up with adults.

Thanks so much for your response! I took yours and ridgerunner’s advice and they did well. Update posted on my original post. Have a great evening

 

[Squawkers]

Thanks to everyone who responded. Since they had been doing well together during the day the last couple days, I went ahead and followed the advice of just letting them be together tonight. I do have an automatic door and I just set it for a tad later to give the chicks enough time to come in from the run after the big hens, which is exactly what they did!

I left the brooder cage doors open so they could go in and pile up where they have been every night but not be as separated and it went well. I have a camera out there and watched closely until everyone was settled. There was a bit of flying around frantically by 2 or 3 of them for about 5 minutes but then they all started settling and have been sleeping happily in their pile since!
See pics below. It’s a bit hard to see since it’s dark, but I think you can see it well enough to know it was a success!
They will be 8 weeks old on Monday, so I know it could still be a couple weeks before they like to roost at night (or so I have read).
Just glad they knew to leave the run and come into the coop on their own!
Both the coop and run are predator safe but the coop is very much so.
Also, the water and food are in the run and now I am not concerned that they will get to it each day as they need to. I did leave one water container in their brooder cage too, just in case. Poop or bedding cannot get in it.
I still have 3 more days and 2 nights to watch them before we leave too!
Also, I do have someone that can check on them once or twice while I am gone. So I am feeling so much better now! Thanks to everyone for sharing!!

That is perfect!!!

 

[Thrilled Chicken Mama]

Thanks to everyone who responded. Since they had been doing well together during the day the last couple days, I went ahead and followed the advice of just letting them be together tonight. I do have an automatic door and I just set it for a tad later to give the chicks enough time to come in from the run after the big hens, which is exactly what they did!

I left the brooder cage doors open so they could go in and pile up where they have been every night but not be as separated and it went well. I have a camera out there and watched closely until everyone was settled. There was a bit of flying around frantically by 2 or 3 of them for about 5 minutes but then they all started settling and have been sleeping happily in their pile since!
See pics below. It’s a bit hard to see since it’s dark, but I think you can see it well enough to know it was a success!
They will be 8 weeks old on Monday, so I know it could still be a couple weeks before they like to roost at night (or so I have read).
Just glad they knew to leave the run and come into the coop on their own!
Both the coop and run are predator safe but the coop is very much so.
Also, the water and food are in the run and now I am not concerned that they will get to it each day as they need to. I did leave one water container in their brooder cage too, just in case. Poop or bedding cannot get in it.
I still have 3 more days and 2 nights to watch them before we leave too!
Also, I do have someone that can check on them once or twice while I am gone. So I am feeling so much better now! Thanks to everyone for sharing!!

Hi all! Sorry for one last post on this thread but I had to share one last picture! Look at these babies all roosting like big girls with the adults!
They did it on their own too. I didn’t put them on the roosting bars.
And all 11 are there, just some tucked in back. I went down to the coop to make sure since I couldn’t count them all on the camera view. I believe my sweet flock is integrated!! I cannot thank you all enough!!!

 

[Squawkers]

Hi all! Sorry for one last post on this thread but I had to share one last picture! Look at these babies all roosting like big girls with the adults!
They did it on their own too. I didn’t put them on the roosting bars.
And all 11 are there, just some tucked in back. I went down to the coop to make sure since I couldn’t count them all on the camera view. I believe my sweet flock is integrated!! I cannot thank you all enough!!!

Don’t be silly! You don’t have to apologize thank you for updating, that makes me very happy! Have a good Thanksgiving!!!

 

[Thrilled Chicken Mama]

Don’t be silly! You don’t have to apologize thank you for updating, that makes me very happy! Have a good Thanksgiving!!!

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving too!