Generally, that is a good set up. A one way gate allows the little ones to venture forth, and if it gets too rough, they can escape. But 5 month hens are or should be very close to full range.
You can continue as you are, I am reasonably positive this will calm down and shift.
You could dismantle part of it, so it is not such an escape. If you do this, I recommend putting up some short walls, 2-3 feet wide, 2-3 feet tall. Places where a bird can get out of sight of the other birds.
I think I would also try putting the babies in the coop with the big girls after they have gone to bed. You might have to put them in there a couple of nights, then shut off where they have been sleeping.
Those ideas and the pullets starting to lay should help... if you have enough space for all of them. Measure your set up... many times what was enough space when chicks were small, is NOT enough space when the chicks get full size.
Mrs K
You can continue as you are, I am reasonably positive this will calm down and shift.
You could dismantle part of it, so it is not such an escape. If you do this, I recommend putting up some short walls, 2-3 feet wide, 2-3 feet tall. Places where a bird can get out of sight of the other birds.
I think I would also try putting the babies in the coop with the big girls after they have gone to bed. You might have to put them in there a couple of nights, then shut off where they have been sleeping.
Those ideas and the pullets starting to lay should help... if you have enough space for all of them. Measure your set up... many times what was enough space when chicks were small, is NOT enough space when the chicks get full size.
Mrs K
