Stupid Newbie Question

[lazy gardener]

What Aart said. Yep. cockerel is going to be the biggest problem b/c he'll be all about dominating. I'm convinced that cockerels don't have a brain. All they have is gonads!

 

[WhatAboutBob?]

Thanks for all the replies!!

So this is what I've come up with! My coop is 10 x 10, but not yet complete on the roost and pop door. The run is WIDE OPEN but big. 20 x 40 wired in former corral.

I am going to put the EE cockerel and pullet coming from my brother in laws farm into a XL wire dog crate inside the coop. I have been watching these birds, so no quarantine is needed - they are good to go. I have a space under the nesting boxes and where the roosts are going that I will put an emergency escape "room" for the GLWs with a small opening (thinking 4 x 6) and hardware cloth. The GLW's are used to heading under that area already for security if they get startled, etc.

The feeding along the edge of the crate is a great idea! I will definitely do that! Thanks @aart
Fortunately, the cockerel has not gone completely hormone crazy yet, but is crowing now regularly. He currently is in a flock of 9 cockerels on the edge of the main flock with a fully mature rooster.

 

[WhatAboutBob?]

So Bob the cockerel and Ethel the pullet arrived to the coop today. So far so good! Both have settled nicely in the dog crate and the GLWs are milling around close by and interacting with the new birds.

 

[WhatAboutBob?]

I finished up a panic room for the GLWs when I let the newbies out of their confignment-so far the Little’s are not shying away at all. Both of the new birds seem calm and gentle, especially the cockerel. I will post pics tomorrow of the panic room setup - there are 3 4” openings for them to escape through. @aart I would love your feedback on this setup when I post the pics.

 

[WhatAboutBob?]

Here are the shots of my impromptu panic room. I gave it a test run by letting Bob and Ethel out. She pecked 3 of the littles, one little waltzes up to her and stood on its tiptoes and craned it's neck up high to look Ethel in the eye. It was hilarious. The 3 pecked all went to the panic room, then I put the bigs back into the crate. The other 3 littles sauntered into the panic room, so success!

 

[aart]

That looks good!
How are the HC panels attached?
I've found it's good to have the door size adjustable.
I imagine you'll have feed and water in there?

 

[WhatAboutBob?]

That looks good!
How are the HC panels attached?
I've found it's good to have the door size adjustable.
I imagine you'll have feed and water in there?

@aart The panels are attached with torx screws - easily removable. I can adjust the size of the openings as needed. Take em off and move the panels to accommodate a larger or smaller opening....and definitely will put a waterer in there. I feed currently by pouring the crumble or scratch on the floor in the area as needed. Nobody is going to go hungry or thirsty. Worse case scenario I can put an auto feeder in - if necessary.

 

[WhatAboutBob?]

I just re-read your comments. Are you talking about the HC itself? It is stapled onto the wood frames, but there are no sharp edges anywhere. I can rub my bare hands across the entire area without any concern whatsoever.

 

[aart]

I just re-read your comments. Are you talking about the HC itself? It is stapled onto the wood frames, but there are no sharp edges anywhere. I can rub my bare hands across the entire area without any concern whatsoever.

Nope, meant the panel(wood + HC) 'assemblies'.
You can also tack another piece of wood onto panel at edge of opening if openings are too wide and larger bird squeeze into 'safe area'.

 

[pennyJo1960]

I finished up a panic room for the GLWs when I let the newbies out of their confignment-so far the Little’s are not shying away at all. Both of the new birds seem calm and gentle, especially the cockerel. I will post pics tomorrow of the panic room setup - there are 3 4” openings for them to escape through. @aart I would love your feedback on this setup when I post the pics.

great ideas

I just re-read your comments. Are you talking about the HC itself? It is stapled onto the wood frames, but there are no sharp edges anywhere. I can rub my bare hands across the entire area without any concern whatsoever.

you seem to have it all in control kudos to you and much happiness with you birds