When to introduce new pullets to adult hen

[lazy gardener]

We are getting the new chicks on Friday or Saturday. I dont have a brooder so I will make something to put inside the coop. They will be about 2 weeks old so i will also make sure there is heat support.

there is one huge caution here: for the most part, I agree with posters about brooding in the coop, and early integration. However, in the summer heat, you run the very real risk of overheating, and possibly killing the chicks if they are shut in the coop 24/7. I would have a secure brooder in the run, and well shaded/ventilated.

 

[ton80gsp]

Anyone have pictures of this?

 

[ton80gsp]

I have a special timer that will turn off heat support when it reaches a certain temp inside the coop. What temp should it not go over?

 

[ton80gsp]

there is one huge caution here: for the most part, I agree with posters about brooding in the coop, and early integration. However, in the summer heat, you run the very real risk of overheating, and possibly killing the chicks if they are shut in the coop 24/7. I would have a secure brooder in the run, and well shaded/ventilated.

My coop door is always open to the run and it has windows. You think this is good for ventilation?

 

[driver]

I was in this same situation - one lonely 6 year old hen, and 5 new babies. I built a new coop, and put the chicks in it when they were about 7 weeks old. At that time, I started bringing the hen in for supervised visits. She was mostly interested in eating their food, and would make threatening gestures at them if they got too close. They would stay out of her way, and were very afraid of her. Eventually, I left her in there full time. They all like the top roost, which is 4 feet long. The old hen gets about 2 feet to herself, and the 5 young ones cram into the remaining 2 feet. Now they are about 13 weeks old, so that's harder to do, but the old hen still gets the most space.

 

[Folly's place]

Driver, you need to add another roost, and double the length. Mary

 

[lazy gardener]

I have a special timer that will turn off heat support when it reaches a certain temp inside the coop. What temp should it not go over?

My coop door is always open to the run and it has windows. You think this is good for ventilation?

The big concern would be that any heat source added to the coop would drive the overall temp up. My coop is 10 x 12, has soffit and eave vents, as well as a floor level vent, pop door, and 3 windows. Yet the temp gets warm enough in there during the day that the birds often pant when they go in to lay their eggs. Keeping chicks in a warm coop: any thing over 85* 24/7 would be detrimental to their health. At 2 weeks of age, your chicks would be fine if you gave them a huddle box. (no electricity or extra heat source needed.)

One thing you might consider for that would be to use a cat carrier. Put a nice thick layer of hay in it, then, you could keep them in the coop in their own little "run area within the coop", and use the cat carrier/huddle box to transport them out to their sectioned off area of the run during the day.

I have used a cat carrier on multiple occasions. It works well as a huddle box, and a transport box. I have been able to train chicks to it, so all I have to do is herd them into it, then I can move them where they need to be, and leave the cat carrier where ever they happen to be so that they always have their "safe haven".

 

[Gypsy52]

I lost all but my rooster and 1 hen to foxes this year, Big R git in baby chicks, very surprised, they are about 10 days old. I think it might be ok to put them in the coop today with a gate to run in coop while everyone is out. I have ducklings and Mama that hatched in there too. What are thoughts on this. I have them in a 3 by 4 speed box right now.

 

[Folly's place]

Gypsy, those chicks still need a heat source, at least at night, or something to keep them warm enough until they are feathered out. A broody hen would likely chase them out or kill them, if together. Have your chicks in a safe separate place, out there if possible, for a couple more weeks anyway. Ducklings aren't helpful either, as they create a very wet environment. Mary

 

[ton80gsp]

The big concern would be that any heat source added to the coop would drive the overall temp up. My coop is 10 x 12, has soffit and eave vents, as well as a floor level vent, pop door, and 3 windows. Yet the temp gets warm enough in there during the day that the birds often pant when they go in to lay their eggs. Keeping chicks in a warm coop: any thing over 85* 24/7 would be detrimental to their health. At 2 weeks of age, your chicks would be fine if you gave them a huddle box. (no electricity or extra heat source needed.)

One thing you might consider for that would be to use a cat carrier. Put a nice thick layer of hay in it, then, you could keep them in the coop in their own little "run area within the coop", and use the cat carrier/huddle box to transport them out to their sectioned off area of the run during the day.

I have used a cat carrier on multiple occasions. It works well as a huddle box, and a transport box. I have been able to train chicks to it, so all I have to do is herd them into it, then I can move them where they need to be, and leave the cat carrier where ever they happen to be so that they always have their "safe haven".

How would i put food an water in a cat carrier?