Integration plan - Opinions/suggestions

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DLC Eskies

DLC Eskies

In the Brooder
5 Years
Jan 21, 2015
54
2
48
Chapman, Kansas
I plan on starting to integrate my 15 little ones with my existing flock(12 pullets 2 cockerels) in 2-3 weeks when they are 5-6 weeks old.

I plan on temporarily sectioning off part of the run with chicken wire and/or hardware cloth for the little ones and using my newly built duck house (ducks won't be here yet) as a temporary sleeping area during the integration period..

Week 1 - Look but no touch

Weeks 2 & 3 - Chicks allowed to come out for supervised mingles with the older birds. Several chick size openings to their area will be provided for escape as well as a few hiding spots.

Week 4 - Move chicks into main coop.

Once the chicks are moved into the coop, the ducklings will be moved into the temporary integration pen and their house.

Does this plan sound ok? Is there anything I should add or change?
 
It might take,a bit longer, don't rush it. Depending on the attitude of your older hens it could go easy or a bit less easy. Will it be warm enough where you are at for your chicks to be without heat at that age? I generally wait until they are around 8 weeks and mostly feathered, but I also brood mine during June when it's warmer.
 
Our days have been averaging in the 70's and are suppose to stay like that. So our daytime temps will be good.
Our nights have been in the 40's and 50's. I can add a heat lamp if I need to.
 
Sounds pretty good!

I would start reducing their heat now, they could be off heat totally by the time you move them out there.
Maybe even open a window where the brooder is to cool the ambient temp.
The cooler you keep them now the faster their feathers will grow out and the easier the move outside will be on them.

Make them a 'huddle box', put it in the brooder after turning off the heat(you might have to 'persuade' them to use it) then move it out to the coop with them.
Cardboard box with a bottom a little bigger than what they need to cuddle next to each other without piling and tall enough for them to stand in.
Cut an opening on one side a couple inches from bottom and big enough for 2-3 of them to go thru at once.
Fill the bottom with some pine shavings an inch or so deep.
This will give them a cozy place to sleep/rest, block any drafts and help hold their body heat in.
 
aart said:
Sounds pretty good!

I would start reducing their heat now, they could be off heat totally by the time you move them out there.
Maybe even open a window where the brooder is to cool the ambient temp.
The cooler you keep them now the faster their feathers will grow out and the easier the move outside will be on them.

Make them a 'huddle box', put it in the brooder after turning off the heat(you might have to 'persuade' them to use it) then move it out to the coop with them.
Cardboard box with a bottom a little bigger than what they need to cuddle next to each other without piling and tall enough for them to stand in.
Cut an opening on one side a couple inches from bottom and big enough for 2-3 of them to go thru at once.
Fill the bottom with some pine shavings an inch or so deep.
This will give them a cozy place to sleep/rest, block any drafts and help hold their body heat in.
Click to expand...

Thanks aart! If I can't find a box, would a plastic tote work?
 

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