This is so not like me, I usually do thorough research before sneezing. But I decided to move my old, established chickens (well, 1 year old) from one coop and run to another so I can move chicks into the more enclosed existing run (it has a cover, and the hawks only seem to bother the younger chickens) without looking into the best way to do it.
Actually, my initial plan was to put the chicks into the new pen- I have gone back and forth a bunch of times about it. The new pen has no cover, but is protected by two low hanging trees. So I moved two of the bigger chicks, and went back to get a bunch more. As I was walking back to the pen with them I saw one of the chicks pop right through the wire. I know 2x3 wire is too big for chicks, but I though these guys were old/big enough to stay inside. At least it happened when I was watching! So I moved them back to the small broody pen and decided that I would switch back and put the old chickens in the new pen.
I thought I was being smart- they free ranged all day, and then I closed up their old coop. Right before dusk I took some scratch and lured them into the new pen. Sounds easy, right? Wrong.
Three of the chickens decided to ignore the scratch. Fine. I closed the other 17 into the pen and went to catch the others. Then I saw another. Then another. They were escaping. I know my fence is jumpable, but my chickens have never been terribly pernicious about jumping (it's 5 foot high). I apparently underestimated their drive to go to their old home. It was so strong they kept piling up in the corner nearest the old coop to the point where I was afraid one would get hurt.
I finally locked them in the new coop just as it was getting dark. Then I had to go convince the 26 5-6 week old chicks to go inside their coop for the night, finally using a heat lamp to lure them in (which they so don't need anymore).
Did I mention I also have two broody hens sitting on eggs in the old coop? At least I had the sense not to move them, but I have about 2 weeks to figure out where I'm going to put them when their babies hatch... I can't let them free range with the older chickens because the dogs are fine with adult chickens but I don't trust them with babies.
Then after dark I had to go back into the new coop and put the chickens up on the roosts, because they were all piled in the corner nearest the old coop.
Another stupid move on my part- I didn't have nest boxes ready when I moved them last night, so I had to hurry up and figure something out this morning. Not that it probably matters- I've probably stressed them out too much to lay. But I fixed up some plastic tubs with bedding and they are there if they need them.
With all this mayhem there was one other group of chickens that got moved- 25 meat birds, red rangers and rosambro from MT-DI. They moved with no issues and were the only birds to voluntarily go into their shelter for bed. Thank god, because I think I spent 3 hours getting everyone else arranged last night!
This morning the young ones all seem happy and well adjusted, and the broodies seem okay (albiet annoyed, but they're in elevated nest boxes for now so they're away from the chicks). But the older chickens, while considerably calmer than last night, are still pacing by the gate.
So, now that you've learned what NOT to do when moving pens, anyone have any advice? I'm tired and frustrated so I'm not thinking clearly. Now that I have them all set up should I leave them and hope they calm down? They're still so heavily imprinted on the old coop, I could skirt the new pen with chicken wire so they can't squeeze through and switch everyone. I'm really tempted to do this, but between skirting and moving that's like another entire day of prepping and moving chickens. Plus the new chicken coop was built with roosting adults in mind, not chicks, so the floor area is totaly open on the sides and there is no bedding. I would have to find them additional shelter for now.
Oh, and should I decide to just leave them all, how long should I keep the old chickens penned before they decide their new coop is home?
Ugh, I'm going to rest for an hour and see if that helps me make a decision. Any input would be greatly appreciated!
Actually, my initial plan was to put the chicks into the new pen- I have gone back and forth a bunch of times about it. The new pen has no cover, but is protected by two low hanging trees. So I moved two of the bigger chicks, and went back to get a bunch more. As I was walking back to the pen with them I saw one of the chicks pop right through the wire. I know 2x3 wire is too big for chicks, but I though these guys were old/big enough to stay inside. At least it happened when I was watching! So I moved them back to the small broody pen and decided that I would switch back and put the old chickens in the new pen.
I thought I was being smart- they free ranged all day, and then I closed up their old coop. Right before dusk I took some scratch and lured them into the new pen. Sounds easy, right? Wrong.
Three of the chickens decided to ignore the scratch. Fine. I closed the other 17 into the pen and went to catch the others. Then I saw another. Then another. They were escaping. I know my fence is jumpable, but my chickens have never been terribly pernicious about jumping (it's 5 foot high). I apparently underestimated their drive to go to their old home. It was so strong they kept piling up in the corner nearest the old coop to the point where I was afraid one would get hurt.
I finally locked them in the new coop just as it was getting dark. Then I had to go convince the 26 5-6 week old chicks to go inside their coop for the night, finally using a heat lamp to lure them in (which they so don't need anymore).
Did I mention I also have two broody hens sitting on eggs in the old coop? At least I had the sense not to move them, but I have about 2 weeks to figure out where I'm going to put them when their babies hatch... I can't let them free range with the older chickens because the dogs are fine with adult chickens but I don't trust them with babies.
Then after dark I had to go back into the new coop and put the chickens up on the roosts, because they were all piled in the corner nearest the old coop.
Another stupid move on my part- I didn't have nest boxes ready when I moved them last night, so I had to hurry up and figure something out this morning. Not that it probably matters- I've probably stressed them out too much to lay. But I fixed up some plastic tubs with bedding and they are there if they need them.
With all this mayhem there was one other group of chickens that got moved- 25 meat birds, red rangers and rosambro from MT-DI. They moved with no issues and were the only birds to voluntarily go into their shelter for bed. Thank god, because I think I spent 3 hours getting everyone else arranged last night!
This morning the young ones all seem happy and well adjusted, and the broodies seem okay (albiet annoyed, but they're in elevated nest boxes for now so they're away from the chicks). But the older chickens, while considerably calmer than last night, are still pacing by the gate.
So, now that you've learned what NOT to do when moving pens, anyone have any advice? I'm tired and frustrated so I'm not thinking clearly. Now that I have them all set up should I leave them and hope they calm down? They're still so heavily imprinted on the old coop, I could skirt the new pen with chicken wire so they can't squeeze through and switch everyone. I'm really tempted to do this, but between skirting and moving that's like another entire day of prepping and moving chickens. Plus the new chicken coop was built with roosting adults in mind, not chicks, so the floor area is totaly open on the sides and there is no bedding. I would have to find them additional shelter for now.
Oh, and should I decide to just leave them all, how long should I keep the old chickens penned before they decide their new coop is home?
Ugh, I'm going to rest for an hour and see if that helps me make a decision. Any input would be greatly appreciated!
