how and when to transition baby chicks into new coop

[BigBlueHen53]

We let ours out of the coop (hen house) at about 6:30 a.m., shortly after daylight. It's too crowded in there to keep them "cooped up" after daylight for another two and a half hours. When we open their door, they all immediately head for water and tank up. Then they head for the feeders, which we set out at the same time. Then they head out into the run to forage, to peck and scratch and hunt for bugs. They put themselves to bed at dusk, and we pick up the feeders and lock them in. But everybody does what works best for them.

I love that your run is clothed with hardware cloth and not chicken wire. That will go a long way toward keeping your babies safe! If you have skunks, you might also have raccoons, though. Be sure whatever latches you have on your gates or doors cannot be opened by a three-year old child. Carabiners are very useful against raccoons!

 

[farmdreamer18]

We let ours out of the coop (hen house) at about 6:30 a.m., shortly after daylight. It's too crowded in there to keep them "cooped up" after daylight for another two and a half hours. When we open their door, they all immediately head for water and tank up. Then they head for the feeders, which we set out at the same time. Then they head out into the run to forage, to peck and scratch and hunt for bugs. They put themselves to bed at dusk, and we pick up the feeders and lock them in. But everybody does what works best for them.

I love that your run is clothed with hardware cloth and not chicken wire. That will go a long way toward keeping your babies safe! If you have skunks, you might also have raccoons, though. Be sure whatever latches you have on your gates or doors cannot be opened by a three-year old child. Carabiners are very useful against raccoons!

This timing sounds like I have to think about how to make it all work. My husband is an early riser.. this could work.
Yes, we also have raccoons occasionally and possum. I forgot about getting carabiners! Thank you for pointing that out. I will ask my grandson who is three to fiddle around with the locks and see what he can get to. There are different locks on the doors and the nesting boxes.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

You're welcome! Anything that takes two hands, like the carabiners with the screw-lock, is guaranteed safe - as long as you take the time to use it. But regular carabiners are pretty good, too. That grandson will be the perfect Quality Control Officer. Or ... Safety Officer?

 

[rosemarythyme]

I made a ramp for them to reach it. When they are in the Sentinel they only go up till the second steep, and don't go in the coop part at all

Chickens don't instinctively use ramps, you need to train them to use it if you want them to put themselves in the coop.

Also there looks to be next to no natural light or ventilation in that coop. Chickens don't want to go into a dark or stuffy coop. Even though you mentioned you're planning on building a larger set up, I'd strongly consider adding a hardware cloth covered window/vent to the coop to provide both light and fresh air in the meantime. Best place to add it would be on the wall facing into the mini run, as the roof over the run section would provide some climate protection.

Between 8-9am sounds good to me. Just to clarify, it is ok for them at 5 weeks to not have food or water from dusk until then? And in the winter when it gets dark as early as 4 then what? Or should I put in coop when it gets dark so earlier then 6 or 7?

At 5 weeks they don't need food from dusk to 8-9 AM if that's when you plan on letting them out. Water may be a different issue if you have hot temperatures to contend with, as dehydration could be a concern.

In winter my birds go in around 4:30 PM and don't get let out until 7:45 AM. No they don't need to eat or drink during that duration.

 

[farmdreamer18]

Chickens don't instinctively use ramps, you need to train them to use it if you want them to put themselves in the coop.

Also there looks to be next to no natural light or ventilation in that coop. Chickens don't want to go into a dark or stuffy coop. Even though you mentioned you're planning on building a larger set up, I'd strongly consider adding a hardware cloth covered window/vent to the coop to provide both light and fresh air in the meantime. Best place to add it would be on the wall facing into the mini run, as the roof over the run section would provide some climate protection.

At 5 weeks they don't need food from dusk to 8-9 AM if that's when you plan on letting them out. Water may be a different issue if you have hot temperatures to contend with, as dehydration could be a concern.

In winter my birds go in around 4:30 PM and don't get let out until 7:45 AM. No they don't need to eat or drink during that duration.

Chickens don't instinctively use ramps, you need to train them to use it if you want them to put themselves in the coop.

Also there looks to be next to no natural light or ventilation in that coop. Chickens don't want to go into a dark or stuffy coop. Even though you mentioned you're planning on building a larger set up, I'd strongly consider adding a hardware cloth covered window/vent to the coop to provide both light and fresh air in the meantime. Best place to add it would be on the wall facing into the mini run, as the roof over the run section would provide some climate protection.

At 5 weeks they don't need food from dusk to 8-9 AM if that's when you plan on letting them out. Water may be a different issue if you have hot temperatures to contend with, as dehydration could be a concern.

In winter my birds go in around 4:30 PM and don't get let out until 7:45 AM. No they don't need to eat or drink during that duration.

This is great info! I will nudge them up the run to show them.
The "window" is on the north and south sides. The south side is blocked by a wooden fence. I like the idea of making the north side larger for more light, it's made out of wood so I can easily cut it with a jigsaw and frame it.
I think I'll put water in the coop, and notice how much they drink. Good to hear about the timing. It's something to get used to, having to put them to bed at a certain time.. not the case when they are in my house. 5 chickies on the perch sleeping is super cute.