Transition Tips?

[AmyJane725]

That's not the norm. Chickens are a little cautious about new things, but will go and inspect them for food. Just look at photos of people adding big heaps of leaves or weeds to the run- the chickens love it! They just gotta get a good look at the thing first.
Probably the lady had a snake or something hiding in the stump that was scaring them, or it was a coincidence.

Oh. Ok. That's a relief. I didn't want to terrify my babies.

 

[AmyJane725]

Ok. The move is complete. They're now enjoying 20 sqft of space out in my garage. They have found their food, water, dust bath and heating plate. They were not at all pleased about being removed from their brooder, but I think they're adjusting well.

 

[Sarjeanp]

Your post is so much like my situation! Last weekend, I moved my 9 babies into the garage, into the temporary coop, until they are old/big enough to go into the main coop. They were just getting too cramped in the brooder. I was TOTALLY holding my breath when I checked on them the next morning, but they were all there and doing well! They LOVE the new home.. there is a ramp, that goes "upstairs", and they love to climb up that, and jump off. Totally playing, on a playground. Your girls will be great!

 

[AmyJane725]

Your post is so much like my situation! Last weekend, I moved my 9 babies into the garage, into the temporary coop, until they are old/big enough to go into the main coop. They were just getting too cramped in the brooder. I was TOTALLY holding my breath when I checked on them the next morning, but they were all there and doing well! They LOVE the new home.. there is a ramp, that goes "upstairs", and they love to climb up that, and jump off. Totally playing, on a playground. Your girls will be great!

I'd love to see pics of your setup. I'd like to see the "upstairs". Glad your girls are doing well
I'm gonna be nervous all night. You can be sure checking on them is gonna be the first thing I do. When I turned the lights all the way out all of them were piled up under the warmer except for my big RIR girl. She's sleeping on the perch all alone like a big girl. lol.

 

[Sarjeanp]

I'd love to see pics of your setup. I'd like to see the "upstairs". Glad your girls are doing well
I'm gonna be nervous all night. You can be sure checking on them is gonna be the first thing I do. When I turned the lights all the way out all of them were piled up under the warmer except for my big RIR girl. She's sleeping on the perch all alone like a big girl. lol.

Please excuse the messy garage, but here you go... just ran out there and took these. You can see that one of the girls is hanging out at the very top of the ramp.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

Hey guys,

My babies are quickly outgrowing their brooder. They'll be moving to an intermediary pen until they're ready to go out to the coop/until the coop is ready for them.

My question is this: I have heard that chickens are very change averse, so I imagine that this transition will be very stressful for them. How can I make it as pleasant as possible?

I have nightmares of moving them out there and coming out the next morning and they've all died from stress overload. Please help.

P.S. Their feeder, waterers, substrate (pine chips) and brooder plate will remain consistent. I plan to give them a new/larger perch or two, as well as the smaller one they have currently.

My chickens have always liked when they got bigger areas. They always seem really happy to get new adventures.

 

[trumpeting_angel]

I think it can be stressful, and certainly they will complain. But life can have its stresses, and most beings (chickens, people) adapt and live. Exercise stresses our bones and muscles, and we get stronger.

I think the noisy complaining is probably an evolutionary mechanism, so that everyone is alerted that there’s some sort of change to be attended to.

 

[AmyJane725]

Please excuse the messy garage, but here you go... just ran out there and took these. You can see that one of the girls is hanging out at the very top of the ramp.

Oh, you're using a prefab coop as a brooder. That's a fantastic idea. Finally a way to use those prefabs for chickens without them being horrendously overcrowded.
Where do the babies like to sleep? Do they play in the nest box much?
No worries on the "mess". You should see my family's garage/house...

 

[Sarjeanp]

Oh, you're using a prefab coop as a brooder. That's a fantastic idea. Finally a way to use those prefabs for chickens without them being horrendously overcrowded.
Where do the babies like to sleep? Do they play in the nest box much?
No worries on the "mess". You should see my family's garage/house...

They are now 4 and 5 weeks old, and I just put them in it last weekend. They have been in my sons room, in a large Rubbermaid tote. But they got very big and extra stinky, very quickly!

 

[Sarjeanp]

Oh, you're using a prefab coop as a brooder. That's a fantastic idea. Finally a way to use those prefabs for chickens without them being horrendously overcrowded.
Where do the babies like to sleep? Do they play in the nest box much?
No worries on the "mess". You should see my family's garage/house...

Sorry, also... yes, they started going upstairs, like all the way up and in the nesting box a few days ago. They were nervous at first! It was really fun to watch them get braver and braver. (Is braver a word? Lol) They love the space! They all sleep downstairs together, same as in the indoor brooder.