Several questions

[rosemarythyme]

First off you won't get eggs yet as they're too young to lay, and still look a few weeks away from to that point.

1. I would let the shy one figure things out for herself. Though I will say the ramp is steep and probably difficult for her to use, and it ends right at the wall so there's no good space to let her "ramp up" onto it. You can try elevating it on a cinder block or a few bricks and see if that helps.

3. Roosting bars aren't necessary something all birds take to without guidance. I do insist that my birds roost so to do that you'd need to go at nightfall and manually place them on the roost. At the very least I would block off the nest boxes - they don't need them yet, and it's not a habit you want them to have.

4. For any sort of drinking cup/nipple they may need to be trained to use them. I know some folks claim their chickens learned to use them without any issue, but people have had birds die of dehydration because they couldn't figure out how to use the waterer. Since your chickens are new and not used to being handled, you can try tapping on the toggle in the cup while the birds watch and then keep an eye on them to see if they're actually using it properly.

5. Yes, though you don't want them to eat excessive amounts of it.

 

[JAR26]

Thanks everyone! They are 18 weeks from a Shurgain/feed and need store and agree with previous poster that they are prob still on the young side to lay eggs. They are now all coming up and down the coop to eat and drink and eat some grits that I just put today. They dont seem to mind us being close to the coop or run but havent accepted any of the treats yet. Im pleased that they seem yo be settling. We werent originaly planning on keeping them for the winter but I can see us falling in love with them. We have room for a large coop and I think the plan for the fall will be to build one and get a few more chickens. For the time being, they are getting along well but we have fencing to have them come out into a larger run during the day.

 

[CindyinSD]

There's your answer. dont mix it in their food.

Check this thread out about chicken math. Informative and hilarious! This link might take you to the last page but just go back to the beginning, good thread.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-math.1312138/page-10#post-21414409

I sometimes mix grit in with the food. They’ll still pick and choose what they want. Don’t give them layer feed until they’re actually laying. It contains calcium, which can harm them. Use an all-flock or a chick finisher type feed. Mostly if chickens have turf/ground they’ll find their own grit, but if they’re confined in a room with a floor and also eating anything other than chicken feed (grass, bugs, left-overs, scratch grains...) then you’ll need to supply grit. At their size choose grit for adult chickens.

If you’re gonna give them a bigger coop and are able/willing to spend the money, I’d definitely go with a fair-sized shed that you’ll feel comfortable being inside, spending time with them (keeping in mind room for the requisite furnishings: nest boxes and roosts). Sometimes manufactured and delivered can be cheaper than stick-built on-site (even if you build it yourselves). If you buy pre-built, you’ll need to add windows, vents & pop-door (about 10x10 for standard-sized chickens). Our “chicken shack” is our former tool shed and has sliding “barn-door” entry. Don’t get sliding doors; you’ll hate them. Bedding is constantly getting compacted into the tracks. I use a dandelion puller to clear it out. Not fun on a frigid winter evening when all you want to do is shut the doors, and it turns into a 15 minute ordeal.

 

[Henriettamom919]

Thanks everyone! They are 18 weeks from a Shurgain/feed and need store and agree with previous poster that they are prob still on the young side to lay eggs. They are now all coming up and down the coop to eat and drink and eat some grits that I just put today. They dont seem to mind us being close to the coop or run but havent accepted any of the treats yet. Im pleased that they seem yo be settling. We werent originaly planning on keeping them for the winter but I can see us falling in love with them. We have room for a large coop and I think the plan for the fall will be to build one and get a few more chickens. For the time being, they are getting along well but we have fencing to have them come out into a larger run during the day.

I'm glad to hear they're settling in! You're well on your way to being a Crazy Chicken Lady like so many of us!

Once they start laying the pecking order could well rotate and your shy girl might end up alpha chick (Happened to me that way). I swear, the minute you figure and issue xyz and relax they change it up. It was hard for me to learn not to interfere in most chicken business; thank goodness I found BYC or I'd probably have a tent and thermos and be out there with them all night