- Oct 11, 2011
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Greetings,
I am new here and not sure where to post this stupid question but I really want to make sure I am doing things right as to my responsibility of raising chickens.
My 1st attempt with chickens did not go so well. In the spring I bought six hens and housed them in a 12x21 dog kennel and made some nesting boxes inside and for five months enjoyed there company and there delicious eggs. Then to my horror last week a raccoon burrow under the kennel and killed all my birds. So we decided that if we were to continue this practice of raising chickens then a coop is a must and so I built one and am staring over.
My 1st attempt I bought adult hens but at 12 to 15 dollars a pop that just wasnt in the budget this time so I went the long way and raised 8 birds from week old chicks. They are now almost 9 wks and fully feathered and doing great!
My brooder was a 4x8 freestanding cage/pen sort of like what people raise rabbits in. I lined it with plenty of bedding and covered it with tarps at night and used a heat lamp to keep them warm.
OK now the stage is set for the stupid question.
Yesterday I finished the coop and transferred the chicks to their new home. Inside the coop I have built a nice roost with a ladder for them to access their perch and one also to get in and out of the coop. I have not let them out of the coop yet, allowing them adjust to their new home but how will they know to use the ladder or (tractor I think some people call them) to get back inside the coop? Do I have to run around and try to catch them and put them up for the night? I know it sounds silly but they made it this far and I dont want to experience what happened the 1st time.
I cant believe I am asking this but any advice would be appreciated.
I am new here and not sure where to post this stupid question but I really want to make sure I am doing things right as to my responsibility of raising chickens.
My 1st attempt with chickens did not go so well. In the spring I bought six hens and housed them in a 12x21 dog kennel and made some nesting boxes inside and for five months enjoyed there company and there delicious eggs. Then to my horror last week a raccoon burrow under the kennel and killed all my birds. So we decided that if we were to continue this practice of raising chickens then a coop is a must and so I built one and am staring over.
My 1st attempt I bought adult hens but at 12 to 15 dollars a pop that just wasnt in the budget this time so I went the long way and raised 8 birds from week old chicks. They are now almost 9 wks and fully feathered and doing great!
My brooder was a 4x8 freestanding cage/pen sort of like what people raise rabbits in. I lined it with plenty of bedding and covered it with tarps at night and used a heat lamp to keep them warm.
OK now the stage is set for the stupid question.
Yesterday I finished the coop and transferred the chicks to their new home. Inside the coop I have built a nice roost with a ladder for them to access their perch and one also to get in and out of the coop. I have not let them out of the coop yet, allowing them adjust to their new home but how will they know to use the ladder or (tractor I think some people call them) to get back inside the coop? Do I have to run around and try to catch them and put them up for the night? I know it sounds silly but they made it this far and I dont want to experience what happened the 1st time.
I cant believe I am asking this but any advice would be appreciated.