When to take away the outdoor brooder

[rosemarythyme]

I'm just not sure how to transition to sleeping in the actual coop/hen house. Should I wait until the May pullets are roosting and then round the chicks up and put them in the coop? If I take away the outdoor brooder then they'll need to sleep inside the coop/hen house.

This is how I transition, from this point. Close up brooder/remove brooder, then at dusk, I move the chicks to a cage inside the coop for their safety. I do this each night until the chicks follow the older birds in - it surprisingly has never taken more than a week. My last group moved in in 2 days.

 

[Becks Chicks]

This is how I transition, from this point. Close up brooder/remove brooder, then at dusk, I move the chicks to a cage inside the coop for their safety. I do this each night until the chicks follow the older birds in - it surprisingly has never taken more than a week. My last group moved in in 2 days.

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Oh, that’s perfect. I can definitely do that!

 

[Becks Chicks]

Thought I’d update. I have now fully integrated the chicks. Last night was the first night they went into the coop/hen house on their own. I was having an issue with them not getting in on time and then they’d stack on the ladder in front of the auto door. I adjusted the time it closes and that seems to have worked. My only issue is they like to roost in one of the nesting boxes. I’ll troubleshoot that problem in a bit.

I was able to remove the supplemental feed and water in the run. One of my black copper marans is a bully to everyone and I’m contemplating what to do with her. I’ve been putting her in a wire crate at least part of every day so the rest can relax. She’s a good layer but I think I’ll have to cull her for peace in the flock.