What will my chickens do if given two coops?

[mrsgibber]

I want to add another 4 - 5 pullets to my flock and my coop currenly houses 4 standards and 1 true bantam. I am looking into buying a second coop from someone I know to raise new chicks in and keep separate from the older girls until they are old enough to be together.

My question is what will 10 chickens do if given the choice of sleeping in one of two coops? Will they tend to have a preference to sleeping in the same one every night? Will the five I have continue to want to sleep in their current coop because they know that is "their home"? I'd hate to have to move chickens from coop to coop every night so they aren't crowed into the same one.

Thanks!

 

[meriruka]

I have 3 coops, but only one big run, so everyone mingles during the day. At night they split up into three groups all by themselves, and it's always the same chickens in the same pens. They just automatically go to the coop they are most familiar with.

 

[mrsgibber]

That's the same situation I'll have...shared run, two coops. Very encouraging to hear your's split up the same every night

 

[Glitterik]

I was considering a very small coop in another part of the yard; something very decorative since it will be visible from the back door. I'm glad to know an additional coop isn't a big deal to the chickens! It would be nice to have a spare ... just in case.