Hi Everyone! I hope you are all doing well during our various stages of lockdown.
I need to know if I'm thinking correctly or off my rocker! LOL My two Australorp hens (2 years old) are currently in a large coop with nesting boxes. We have had four teenagers in a "mini coop" but they are 16 weeks this week and it's time to move them into the big coop where they can eat big girl food and get used to nesting boxes. They are also outgrowing the mini coop.
Here's my plan:
Today--we put the young ones in the big coop and left them in there for an hour or so. They ate, explored and then we opened the coop door so they could experience going down the coop ramp. They've been on the ramp before as both coops are inside our run.
Tomorrow--we plan to let the big girls out into the yard as usual, but then take the littles and put them in the big coop for a few hours. While they are in there, we will disassemble the mini coop so when they come out the coop will be gone. Our thought is out of sight, out of mind, as well as it will force them into the big coop tomorrow night.
What do you all think? What can I expect from my big hens? Anything? Blood bath--hoping not!? I plan on waking at dawn to let everyone out before they get too crazy. All six have been with each other now for a month when I took down the barrier between the two coops. They pretty much keep to themselves. My big mama "Pink" can be a bit of a brat but I'm hoping she'll just try to run the show without killing anyone. One of my young ones is almost the same size already as the australorps. (She's a midnight majesty maran.)
I welcome all suggestions! Thanks!
I need to know if I'm thinking correctly or off my rocker! LOL My two Australorp hens (2 years old) are currently in a large coop with nesting boxes. We have had four teenagers in a "mini coop" but they are 16 weeks this week and it's time to move them into the big coop where they can eat big girl food and get used to nesting boxes. They are also outgrowing the mini coop.
Here's my plan:
Today--we put the young ones in the big coop and left them in there for an hour or so. They ate, explored and then we opened the coop door so they could experience going down the coop ramp. They've been on the ramp before as both coops are inside our run.
Tomorrow--we plan to let the big girls out into the yard as usual, but then take the littles and put them in the big coop for a few hours. While they are in there, we will disassemble the mini coop so when they come out the coop will be gone. Our thought is out of sight, out of mind, as well as it will force them into the big coop tomorrow night.
What do you all think? What can I expect from my big hens? Anything? Blood bath--hoping not!? I plan on waking at dawn to let everyone out before they get too crazy. All six have been with each other now for a month when I took down the barrier between the two coops. They pretty much keep to themselves. My big mama "Pink" can be a bit of a brat but I'm hoping she'll just try to run the show without killing anyone. One of my young ones is almost the same size already as the australorps. (She's a midnight majesty maran.)
I welcome all suggestions! Thanks!