Same newbie / different question

JVAchickens

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First of all thanks!!!

It is clearly a one-sided relationship as I am very new and can only imagine that someday I'll be able to answer questions for some other newbie years down the road. So again, and in advance, thanks!

I am preparing to assimilate 17 new chickens who are two months old + into a large outdoor coop that currently has 5 laying hens. Here is my question: What is the best way / time (age) for these new girls to go into their new coop?

I have been feeding them a mix of Starter Grower along with some pelletts on the ground to get them used to feeding that way. They are very well fed and seem to be in good health. They are big, and some of them seem quite ready to be out of the garage. Inside the garage, (where we leave the door open with fencing around to keep out any predators) they have an 8' x 4' x 4' brooder with a walkway up and down into it. We have fenced off 1/2 of the garage (normal car sized area) where they can get out and walk around. I estimate this to be about the size of a single horse stall. They have food and water both inside the brooder and out in the garage. They do not seem to be inclined to roost at night (inside the brooder) and stay "around" the brooder day and night. We turned off their heat lamp 10 + days ago. They seem happy and curious, and are a real joy for me and my family.

Outside in the back of the house there is a fenced off run of approximately 7500 sq feet. Additionally they will all be able to freely walk around our property (3+ acres) as the big ones do now; when they get used to being outside. The coop is large and by my estimates could hold as many as 30 hens comfortably (using the roost space available). I am also able to have food and water inside the coop, safe from falling poop and predators.

I guess the real question is....what now?

I have thought to just take them all out there put them in the coop for a couple of days and let them "figure it out". I am very attached to both the little ones and the big ones and want it to go well.

So, thanks again for reading. I haven't been able to write in a while, and will try and get back to your comments as soon as I can. As I said it seems that my relationship with BYC is VERY one-sided as I am asking (now my second question) and have little to offer back except my thanks.

Thanks!

JVAChickens
 
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Welcome to BYC!

So glad you are enjoying your new babies! They don't need heat at this age anymore, so you can turn off the lamp. Do you have a roost bar installed in their area? Chicks dont' always roost right away, but they will get the hang of roosting over time, especially if a bar is available.

You won't be able to mix them in with the adult flock for a few months until the grow more. They need to be around the same size as the older hens. So somewhere around 4 months is a good age. When you do go to mix then in, keep them in a cage or fenced off area but within the flock at all times. Keep them this way for about 3 weeks. Everybody sees, nobody touches. This will help to work out the pecking order from behind wire. When mixing day does come, it should go fairly easy with minimal aggression. Of course always watch them that day and that next week to make sure they are getting along. Of course always intervene if it turns bloody.

Enjoy this new adventure you are on and welcome to our flock!
 
images


Welcome to BYC!

So glad you are enjoying your new babies! They don't need heat at this age anymore, so you can turn off the lamp. Do you have a roost bar installed in their area? Chicks dont' always roost right away, but they will get the hang of roosting over time, especially if a bar is available.

You won't be able to mix them in with the adult flock for a few months until the grow more. They need to be around the same size as the older hens. So somewhere around 4 months is a good age. When you do go to mix then in, keep them in a cage or fenced off area but within the flock at all times. Keep them this way for about 3 weeks. Everybody sees, nobody touches. This will help to work out the pecking order from behind wire. When mixing day does come, it should go fairly easy with minimal aggression. Of course always watch them that day and that next week to make sure they are getting along. Of course always intervene if it turns bloody.

Enjoy this new adventure you are on and welcome to our flock!
Thank you so much, greatly appreciate your advice.

JVA
 
Hello :frow and Welcome To BYC! Good luck with your new flock! TwoCrows gave you some good advice on integrating them.
 
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Newbies are allowed more than two questions - so hit us with all you've got!
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Thank you.

How about this one. At what age can I start giving these little guys treats, and what treats are best. I am basing my assessment of "Happy Hen Treats", (that they are like candy), on the voraciousness by which my ladies gobble them up. Can I give them to the little ones (2 +months), or is there a better treat?
 

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