Transitioning chicks to coop and older hens to new coop

[Flixflaxnoob]

1. I just had a large coop delivered that my 12 week old pullets are currently in. I had them locked in there for five days while we were on vacation with a neighbor checking in on them. I don't yet have a run attached to the coop so I've been letting them out to free range for a few hours while supervised since we got home from vacation. After a few minutes, they go straight for the garage where their brooder was! How long has it taken your chicks to get accustomed to the coop? I assume it might be easier if I had an enclosed run set up? I just need to find the time.

2. I also have four laying hens that I want to soon move them into the new coop with the smaller pullets. They've all free ranged together in the yard with minimal drama. The older hens will peck the little ones making them run away but they're not actively attacking them, so I take it as normal pecking order shenanigans? How do I best move my older girls to the new coop with the two pullets in there?

Pic of pullets making their way back to their brooder for a dust bath five days after being in the coop.

 

[CherishedFowlGuardian]

I've found that letting adult laying hens roost in their old coop first, then carefully transferring them to the new one at night, is the most effective method for moving them. Keep them indoors with food and water for approximately a week after they are in the new coop. This process helps them recognize the new coop as home.

If the new coop is far, using a dog crate for transport can really help.

When I transitioned baby chicks, it took up to two weeks before they started going to the coop on their own instead of staying near the house, where I had kept the brooder. To help with that, I made sure to feed them dinner inside the coop every evening for those first two weeks. That routine helped them get comfortable with the new space.

 

[Flixflaxnoob]

I've found that letting adult laying hens roost in their old coop first, then carefully transferring them to the new one at night, is the most effective method for moving them. Keep them indoors with food and water for approximately a week after they are in the new coop. This process helps them recognize the new coop as home.

If the new coop is far, using a dog crate for transport can really help.

When I transitioned baby chicks, it took up to two weeks before they started going to the coop on their own instead of staying near the house, where I had kept the brooder. To help with that, I made sure to feed them dinner inside the coop every evening for those first two weeks. That routine helped them get comfortable with the new space.

Would you still recommend moving the older hens at night if the younger ones are already in there?

 

[CherishedFowlGuardian]

Would you still recommend moving the older hens at night if the younger ones are already in there?

Do you chicks and adult chickens peck at each other a lot?

 

[Flixflaxnoob]

Do you chicks and adult chickens peck at each other a lot?

The adult chickens will peck at the younger ones when free ranging but it's not constant. They haven't been in close quarters though before.