Yet another integrating thread! Questions, we gots them!

[Flora Vale Fowl]

So, we've read all the best articles, and talked to our fellow chicken keeping friends, and now, we are asking ya'll.

The situation is. We have a two flocks. One a collection of 1 yr. olds, hens and one slightly mean rooster. The other, a clutch of six 8 week old pullets. We have a wknd events that take us away in two weeks. Tried a bit of integration yesterday, just hens, and pullets, put the roo in the coop. They did..ok. Only a few pecks. Instinct says the chicks are still smaller than the big hens, and shouldn't push things. $ and TIME say, building growout coop with attached run connected to existing run, is tricky.

The question is, any one tried to integrate 8 week olds into a flock, that has a rooster?

Thanks.

 

[donrae]

The rooster's never been a problem for the younger birds for me, it's the mean older hens. When I've tried at this age, I've had dead chicks. I've waited until 4ish months and done much better. My roosters (and there have been a lot over the years!) have never been mean to chicks or young birds, ever. If your rooster is mean, I'd advise to seriously re-think his future at your home. There are tons of perfectly nice roosters in the world.

When I've neeeded a grow out pen, I've never built a permanent structure. It doesn't take much to fence chickens, depending on your predator situation. I've used T-posts and chicken wire, tarps to block the wind or rain and it's done just fine. Not pretty, but it's only for 2 months, max. I've also used that orange plastic construction fencing, hog panels, things like that. Check your CL or similar for chain link dog kennels...that could easily be re-sold after you're done with it, for the same price so you're not out any $ in the long run.

 

[Flora Vale Fowl]

Yes, about the Roo. He is going. We had thought to keep him until we were done integrating. I know they can be an assistant to that. Line all the ladies up and tell them he thinks their pretty and shouldn't fight. He is rough with us, but we manage him, however, don't want him around, as we can't free range with him. So, he is going in after we're done. Hoping some hands us a Buff Orphington sweet boy soon.

Yes, our instincts say build the extra coop. Here is our nice little set up. Coop on the right. Run on the left.



Here is the back corner, where an attached integrating/broody/isolation coop will go:



Wire between the two, with a door, so they can see and slow socialization until we are ready.

Sigh, I guess it comes down to chicken math. A+B=Wire, 2x4, and plywood, factored for time.

 

[Flora Vale Fowl]

"When I've neeeded a grow out pen, I've never built a permanent structure. It doesn't take much to fence chickens, depending on your predator situation."

Yes, we do temporary runs for the day a lot. Just run some wire and netting, etc. However, the answer to "What Chicken Predators do you have?" for us, is "All of them" including 2 legged ones. Yep. Appalachian mtns. Coons, Skunks, Possums, Weasels, Bobcats, Bears, Cats, Dogs, Coyotes, Hawks, Eagles, Hillbillies. Yep.