Should new pullets stay inside the coop for a few days?

[Citychick42]

I'm getting blr wyandottes pullets today and we still don't have our run completed. We live in town so we can't let them free range but could watch them while they free range. My biggest question is if the pullets should spend most of the day inside the coop to get to know it, or if they should be able to go inside or outside as they wish. i read that pullets need to stay inside the coop for most of the day to get to know it.

Thanks for any help!

 

[chicmom]

You are right....you should keep your hens in the coop/run for at least a week, so that way they will begin to think of your coop as their new home. If you can somehow finish that chicken run, you could let them out into the run, but just letting them loose too early will be a bad idea, because they probably won't consider the coop home at first.

Congrats! BLR wyandottes are really beautiful!

 

[Citychick42]

Okay so should I make a small run that i let them into occasionaly (like 2-3 times daily) or let them free range for about a half hour (with me watching them)?


Thanks! im so exited about getting them!

 

[Citychick42]

chicmom I'm also from Ohio!

 

[boogiedog]

Depending how old they are, I'd be inclined to keep them in the coop until the run is finished. I kept mine in for one full week before letting them out. If you let them out before they establish that the coop is "home" you will be searching in the dark for chickens roosting everywhere

. They are not easy to corral.

If they are very young, you could try putting a dog run/corral by the chicken door to allow them out but keeping them from going completely free. Just beware of predators with the smaller birds. In a second a hawk, even crow, dog, cat can snatch a little one.