3 questions. Always learning.

[Priscilla's mom]

Hello, Hopefully some folks will want to share their experience. This is my second year with chickens. My first bunch were textbook. My new girls from spring seem to do everything differently!
1) Any tips on integrating? the young ones are 20 weeks and probably full grown. I'm kind of scared about my older girls reaction. Anything I can do to make it easier?
2) One out of the 4 babies started laying. So far she doesn't like any of the egg laying cubbies, which will be resolved when they are in with the big girls, but in the meantime, little eggs right on the ground
3) The bigger girls are molting. Feathers everywhere. How long does this go on? Does this start the natural slow down of production for winter if I choose not to use artificial lighting, or will they start laying again when new feathers come in?
Thanks!

 

[Rickba]

As far as integrating, I have a small coop in my main run. I put the new chicks in the coop where the other chickens can see and talk to them for a few days. This socializes them. Then I open the door and let 'em out and let nature take it's course.
Chickens are going to lay where they are going to lay. It is what it is.
There's no set time for molting. It just runs it's course. Your chickens should stop laying when they molt. Molting is very uncomfortable for them and take a lot out of 'em.
Hope this helps.

 

[Suzi18]

I just integrated 3 new 12-14 week old girls into my existing flock of 6 7 month old girls. I put them in a dog crate inside the run for 2 days then separated part of my run and put them in there. I put their feeders side by side on either side of the hardware cloth separating them. After 2 weeks I let them start free ranging together and after 2 more weeks I removed the separation. I was amazed at how smoothly it went. No pecking or fussing. I was amazed. I'm so glad I took my time and didn't rush I. Made the transition much easier for them and me.

 

[Rickba]

I just integrated 3 new 12-14 week old girls into my existing flock of 6 7 month old girls. I put them in a dog crate inside the run for 2 days then separated part of my run and put them in there. I put their feeders side by side on either side of the hardware cloth separating them. After 2 weeks I let them start free ranging together and after 2 more weeks I removed the separation. I was amazed at how smoothly it went. No pecking or fussing. I was amazed. I'm so glad I took my time and didn't rush I. Made the transition much easier for them and me.

Hi Suzi, When they can be socialized before they physical contact it will be a much smoother transition. Good Job.

 

[Suzi18]

Hi Suzi, When they can be socialized before they physical contact it will be a much smoother transition. Good Job.

Thank you. I was so pleased how it turned out

 

[chickens really]

Try free ranging....That's how I introduce all my Birds