Trying to integrate flock

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TheOgdensmenagerie

TheOgdensmenagerie

Songster
6 Years
Feb 4, 2017
314
314
201
Eastern Montana
400


So I decided to integrate this weekend. I let my 7 weekers out in the garden and then brought my 4 weekers out and let them jump out on their own. They all seem to be doing fine. No ome pecking or bullying... Do you think if I put them in the coop tonight altogether they will be okay?
 
I would separate them at night for a while. Your little ones could get in trouble. The older ones were busy enjoying the new experience and probably didn't pay much attention to the younger batch. At dusk and dawn they will probably start to peck at the young ones unless they have been penned next to each other for a time already. I always prefer to be cautious and not rush integration, especially during those times when I can't see or hear what's going on.
 
So is a week enough time? Or longer? I have them in a huge dog crate in the coop right now. They seemed fine with each other even in the coop but I'll feel awful if something happens to them. Lol
 
What I do is let everyone get a look at each other for about a week before I start to mingle them. I personally prefer my little ones locked up at night. If you feel they are okay together than they probably will be as long as everyone can get away from each other, or the actually are showing no hostilities.

I separate out the youngest for about a month before feeling they are okay on their own and have learned how to avoid the older ones. I am probably too cautious sometimes, but I have seen what could happen, so I go into protective mommy mode.

Only you can observe their interactions and tell if you think they will be fine. Every batch is different, so follow your gut instinct on whether they are okay together or not.
 

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