We're moving! New house and new coop-how to introduce flock to new digs?

[aart]

Congratulations! Sweet new digs for everyone!

Ditto Dat!!!

I'd just toss them all in there, see how it goes.
Do you have a crate...just in case someone needs a time out?
Plenty of space in that huge new coop.

 

[Mo'sMenagerie]

It wouldn't take much to enclose the area under the coop with hardware cloth and a small gate. That way the more aggressive guy would be secure.
Do any of the hens really let him have it if he tries to mate them? If so, put one or two of those girls in there with him so he's not totally alone. It won't take too long to "home" the flock to their new coop. Just play it by ear.
Is the younger guy related to the dominant boy? Are they roosters or cockerels?

The area under the coop is only really about 22in and it's really muddy out there because this is all new construction. I think we'll have some flexibility by bringing the old enclosed run from the old coop here with us. Hopefully we can make that work. The roosters are actually cockerels. Not related. The more aggressive one is the one that's younger by a couple of months. He's the SFH. The nicer guy, Woody, is a barnyard mix.

 

[Mo'sMenagerie]

Ditto Dat!!!

I'd just toss them all in there, see how it goes.
Do you have a crate...just in case someone needs a time out?
Plenty of space in that huge new coop.

Thanks Aart. We can now join the fresh air coop clan. I do have a crate...

 

[NHMountainMan]

Can't add anything about managing the move. But congrats on the beautiful new home for you and your flock!

 

[chickens really]

Awesome new digs..
Toss them in they already know how to Roost at night. They will love the new place..

 

[Mrs. K]

What a sweet set up! For you and the chickens.

If you can take the run with you, that would be best. They can go in and outside and be contained. I too, do not like to lock birds in a confinement. But if you can't...

Truthfully, I have never had an issue with birds not returning to their coop, once they have slept in it. Looking at the area, I think your coop looks like the best place for a chicken to sleep. So I would move them into the setup mid afternoon, light enough that they can have a look around. And then go to roost. Then I would let them out mid morning or early afternoon.

It should be strange to them, they won't go far. Then I would feed their favorite treat just inside the door in the late afternoon. Do a head count and lock them up.

After that I would not worry about. What I would worry about, is that is fairly rural, and I am willing to be that you are going to have a lot of predators that will love chicken.

Mrs K

 

[rosemarythyme]

Beautiful new coop and house, congrats! Yes I'd consider locking the hens in for a few days (possibly 1 or more roos as well) but a week is probably longer than necessary. If you can't take the old run/don't have time to build a new one, maybe even a temporary run with whatever cheap materials you can source would give them a little more wiggle room for a few hours a day.

 

[ThreeOfSeven]

Beautiful home and coop, and I love the bright, happy color!

Can't add much to the transition issue. My area is hawk-saturated. They do fly-bys and visits almost daily, so for my needs, a coop needs a pen. <sigh>

 

[Folly's place]

Beautiful new place! I'd lock them in for a couple of days, if possible, and have that crate ready for your junior cockerel, in the coop, if necessary.
I'd worry about having the boys out of sight of each other, and then having to reintroduce them. Better if they are in view, probably.
I do agree about predator protection in the new place, and the need for some fencing for them. You could set up some temporary shelters, as plywood on blocks, and plant shrubs ASAP too.
Mary