Moving chooks to new house

[Lucylou]

Hi everyone 99 Not been on here for ages & ages, but hoping you'll all have some tips on this for me.

Finally I'm getting organised with my long overdue new coup. (Few unconnected problems have meant other things had to take priority )

Have read a really helpful post (New House) which has answered several questions on this & it seems the best way to move chooks into their new quarters is to put new & old coup side by side & move the chooks in at night, then take old coup away after a few days. Unfortunately I don't think I can do that as the land in my covered run is uneven & the coup is on the flat bit & what with the roof supports aswell, I don't think it'd be possible.

Added problem is that I'd like to get this sorted before I go on hols in Nov but don't want stressed chooks whilst I'm away as the person looking after them can only do food, water & clean!

So, can you reassure me that if I put them in new one at night but take old one away they'll be OK? Or should I just leave it till Dec? But then we'll more than likely have bad (or should I say worse) weather & really need new house for winter.

 

[Marigold]

I would just do it. Take away the old coop, replace it with the new one, if possible early in the day so they have a chance to inspect it, and in the same place as the old one. Be there about 7.00 - 7.15, ie roosting time, and watch what happens. Most probably they'll go in of their own accord, if not you'll have to help them, but dont jump in too soon, let them stew for a bit and they may decide the risk of a night outside is greater than that of going in to a new coop. Some people have found its helpful to them if you can put a small light inside the coop, maybe a torch in the nestboxes with the beam directed away from their eyes, so they can see where they're going. It won't take them long to accept the coop, especially those who are laying ATM, who will have to use it for the nestboxes. Certainly it won't take until November before they get used to it and appreciate your kindness!

 

[Lucylou]

Thank you Marigold, you've reassured me 17