Transitioning Teenagers

[Juther]

Hi all! I'm new here, this forum has proved invaluable! I can't seem to find the answer to this question though. I have 5+ week old pullets that are no longer on a heat lamp. I want to put them in the coop (sectioned off from the big ones) during the day. Everything I read says don't do it until they are 8weeks, but in Texas the high is 80 and low 75 today. They are bored and trying to bust out of the brooder.

THANKS, Julie

 

[azygous]

They are so ready to move into the big coop! It should be especially easy since your temps are mild right now. They will acclimate easily.

You can transition them immediately using a safe enclosure. You can do it in a few different ways. You can set up a daytime pen in the run and let them spend days in it and bring them back into the inside brooder at night.

You can create a safe pen in the coop and let them spend all day and all night in it for a week or so.

You can create a safe brooding pen in the run where they can also sleep. You will be able to do this only if the run is very secure against weather and predators.

Regardless of where you set this pen up, which I've dubbed a "panic room", after the chicks have spent about a week in it watching the adult chickens, you can open up numerous (more than one) openings so the chicks can begin to mingle. If the openings are around 5 x 7 inches, the big chickens shouldn't be able to get through, and they will accommodate the chicks until almost 3 months.

If you began with one in the coop, you need to also have one in the run where everyone usually ends up during the day.

This will be their panic room where they run when the pecking order gets too overwhelming. Food and water are inside the panic room so they don't need to compete with the adults. They catch on very quickly and use this as a safe haven, keeping them very safe.

After the chicks are mingling with the adults and all are settling in with the presence of the chicks, usually takes a week or so, then I move the chicks into the coop to sleep, and I begin to show them how to perch. It's easier than it sounds, but we can discuss that later.

 

[DaviJones]

X2 I actually moved mine in at 6 weeks and the temp was around 60. I think as long as they're feathered and somewhat acclimated you'll be fine.

 

[Juther]

They are so ready to move into the big coop! It should be especially easy since your temps are mild right now. They will acclimate easily.

You can transition them immediately using a safe enclosure. You can do it in a few different ways. You can set up a daytime pen in the run and let them spend days in it and bring them back into the inside brooder at night.

You can create a safe pen in the coop and let them spend all day and all night in it for a week or so.

You can create a safe brooding pen in the run where they can also sleep. You will be able to do this only if the run is very secure against weather and predators.

Regardless of where you set this pen up, which I've dubbed a "panic room", after the chicks have spent about a week in it watching the adult chickens, you can open up numerous (more than one) openings so the chicks can begin to mingle. If the openings are around 5 x 7 inches, the big chickens shouldn't be able to get through, and they will accommodate the chicks until almost 3 months.

If you began with one in the coop, you need to also have one in the run where everyone usually ends up during the day.

This will be their panic room where they run when the pecking order gets too overwhelming. Food and water are inside the panic room so they don't need to compete with the adults. They catch on very quickly and use this as a safe haven, keeping them very safe.

After the chicks are mingling with the adults and all are settling in with the presence of the chicks, usually takes a week or so, then I move the chicks into the coop to sleep, and I begin to show them how to perch. It's easier than it sounds, but we can discuss that later.

Panic Room, I love it!!!

 

[Juther]

X2 I actually moved mine in at 6 weeks and the temp was around 60. I think as long as they're feathered and somewhat acclimated you'll be fine.

They are feathered, thank for the reassurance!

 

[chickens really]

Yep...Do it...