Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[emmalou]

I am expecting my first ever lot of chickens at the end of June and have just about finished the coop now, but was just unsure about keeping them in the house for a short time on their arrival. Thing is, our chicken house is not a walk in one so only big enough for 5 chickens and was not sure whether keeping them in a small house for a few days is ideal? Would there be a problem to initially put them in the chicken house for a few hours then let them out into the run?

[Cat tails]

Many sites suggest keeping the chickens in the house/coop for a few hours to even days.

 

I really don't see the point and find keeping them in there for a few days just cruel. I popped mine in the house and they made such a racket that I just opened the door of the coop straight away. It took them some time to get the courage to enter the run and I had to put them to bed at night myself.

 

Most here don't even close the coop door at night, when they have a secure run. I do close mine, because they wake up a bit later. Mine demand breakfast. With the current light at 6:15 and I have a tiny garden and loads of neighbours to keep happy.

 

But if you close it at night is up to you.

[emmalou]

I totally agree with what you say Cat Tails. They will be in a secure run and will be safe so will just let them out in their house and leave the door open, that way they can decide who does what and when. No matter how secure my run it I will be shutting them in at night, well initially anyway.mMy husband things our run is completely fox proof. I said we will see. I think he underestimated the intelligence of Mr Fox Thanks for the advice

[mullethunter]

I shut mine into the house for half an hour, but then let them out into their run. I think the Idea is to not let them out to free range for a few days.

[Hippie Chick]

I think that the idea of shutting them inside the coop for a few days is pretty much outdated now, and based on when chickens had a coop in an open field or smallholding without a run. The idea was to make sure they knew where home was at the end of a day of foraging far and wide.

 

The majority of us keep chickens now in some kind of coop and run affair, or something similar with boundaries so the chickens can't really get lost so there's no real point in locking them up in this situation.

 

I brought my chickens home on a very hot day last year, there was no way I'd have even considered putting them in the coop! I just lifted them out of their carry boxes into the run and watched them go from looking like they were paralysed with the shock of it all to exploring within 30 minutes. That night they all trooped into the coop to roost by themselves without any trouble.

 

However, I didn't let them out of the walk-in run to free range for nearly three weeks as my nerves weren't up to it! I needn't have worried, none of them seem to remember they have wings

[chickchock]

We got our first chickens a couple of months ago and I didn't actually know you were supposed to keep them in, so we let them do whatever they wished. They stayed very firmly in the run for a good week despite the door being open (while we were there). So even if you let them out they might not come anyway!

[Cat tails]

But if they do, they might also not find their way back, so I would still wait at least a week or so.

[clucker1]

Are you going to let them free range? If yes, you can start training them that the shake of a tin (with corn in) = corn in the run, you'll see them come running for it and come back in for you. All of mine do that, apart from one who can't make 2+2 add up. We did have another chicken some while ago who just didn't like corn so that didn't work for her. Have fun

[emmalou]

Thanks all for your replies. They have a 12 metre run so initially they will be in there. I ordered the chickens today for a June arrivals and whilst they suggest 3 days in the house I think that won't be necessary. With a decent size run I think they will be fine in there. They recommended a flour based feed initially (they will be 20 weeks). Is this necessary or can I go straight into a normal feed?

[Cat tails]

Most here feed a grower pellet/mix till the hens start laying. I put my ladies on layer pellets at 22 weeks I think. But when they start laying eggs, differs per breed I guess.

[clucker1]

My hybrids always go straight onto layers pellets and are fine. Less change for them,they survive...they just get on with it

[mullethunter]

What are you getting?

[emmalou]

Well we are in France, so have ordered the following....

1 - Marans Coucou

1 - Sussex

1 - Rouge Foncée

1 - Noir

1 - Médicis

I wanted a good variety and then may progress from there but will need to extend the chicken house to do so.

[redsunset]

Enjoy! I got my first ever 6 just under 4 years ago and the temp that day was 26c. Popped them in run and left coop door open and spent pretty much the whole day enthralled watching them with ice lollies (to keep me cool) . They put themselves to bed.

[emmalou]

Ahhh, lovely cannot wait. It has taken 4 years for my hubbie to come round to keeping chickens. Now for the dog

[mullethunter]

As they are pure breed, they may be a while off POL. If it was me I'd put them on growers pellets until they start laying, but I'm sure it won't be the end of the world if you can't get them.