Planning Ahead - Integration - Should I build a 2nd Coop?

[Enchanted1s]

Hi All - We just got our first babies. First chickens that we ever got, by choice. The are only a week old right now, and we will keep them inside as long as the weather requires. BUT, I am already thinking about when we try to integrate them with our existing flock. We currently have 4 birds that flew over the fence and chose us. One Rooster (unknown age - adult) One Hen about 7 to 8 months and two young pullets - guessing about 4 months? We just recently got the older two to let the teenagers sleep in the nest box. Still, one of the pullets seems to be picked on a lot. My bigger concern is these babies. I would be devastated if the babies were to be hurt because I put them with the others. I have read the routine and have a 36" cage to use in the coop so they can be seen but not touched when they are first introduced.

I am wondering if I need to build a second coop so that they can separate themselves if they need to? My current coop is a walk in - about 8 foot by 8 foot. The current nesting box is about 30 inches square with a laying box attached to the side. [our older two made that their sleeping quarters and I let them - just built a separate box for her to lay her eggs in].

Right now, I have some time before the babies will be big enough to go outside. But, I will need some time to get materials together if I am going to build a separate coop. Oh yes - we let them free range all day and go to the coop when they want to, but lock them in at night. They also have a penned in area surrounding the coop - to keep the goats out - the chickens can come and go.

 

[azygous]

Actually, a lot of us brood our chicks right outside in our coops and runs with the older chickens using a special chick brooding pen. If your nights aren't any colder than the 30s, the chicks will do just fine as long as they're protected from cold drafts and weather.

I wrote an article on outdoor brooding and describe all the advantages to it. It might give you some alternatives to consider. It's listed below this post. (Copy and paste into your browser.) It makes integration super easy, and the chicks are safely mingling with the big chicks at just a few weeks old.

 

[Enchanted1s]

Actually, a lot of us brood our chicks right outside in our coops and runs with the older chickens using a special chick brooding pen. If your nights aren't any colder than the 30s, the chicks will do just fine as long as they're protected from cold drafts and weather.

I wrote an article on outdoor brooding and describe all the advantages to it. It might give you some alternatives to consider. It's listed below this post. (Copy and paste into your browser.) It makes integration super easy, and the chicks are safely mingling with the big chicks at just a few weeks old.

Unfortunately - it has been getting down in the low 20's all week - and more of the same in the forecast. But, I am off to read your article. It is not usually this cold. The babies will be two weeks old Monday.