Back in March we brought home 18 day old chicks. Lost 1 and have 17 left to merge with our 5 three year old hens. Since about week 9 we would put the 17 in one part of our coop for the day with a barrier between a few times a week. 2 weeks ago we started leaving them in that side of the coop all the time. They all have ability to see each other through the wire.
In the last week we've discovered there are 3 cockerels in the new flock also. Our coop is secure and we haven't decided if we want to keep any of the boys.
Today I added some pine mulch and hay to the main coop creating some distractions and opened the barrier. The new chickens really had no desire to go over to the other side. Eventually a couple ventured over and one of our Golden Laced Wyandotts made it known she wasn't happy so the few ran back. Next the GLW decided to go over to the other side and pick fights with at least 3 of the newcomers. Pretty sure 2 of those were boys.
At this point we've put the barrier back up. The new flock will be 15 weeks Thursday. Any suggestions on a better merge? Should we keep just one of the cockerels if any? I may put up a big fenced area with poultry net just to let them have even more area during the day. TIA
In the last week we've discovered there are 3 cockerels in the new flock also. Our coop is secure and we haven't decided if we want to keep any of the boys.
Today I added some pine mulch and hay to the main coop creating some distractions and opened the barrier. The new chickens really had no desire to go over to the other side. Eventually a couple ventured over and one of our Golden Laced Wyandotts made it known she wasn't happy so the few ran back. Next the GLW decided to go over to the other side and pick fights with at least 3 of the newcomers. Pretty sure 2 of those were boys.
At this point we've put the barrier back up. The new flock will be 15 weeks Thursday. Any suggestions on a better merge? Should we keep just one of the cockerels if any? I may put up a big fenced area with poultry net just to let them have even more area during the day. TIA