A different type of integration question

[Trish1974]

I will be setting up my breeding pens this weekend, and my BBS pen birds will all be new to each other (mostly). I am leaving a 1 1/2 year old splash hen in the coop I will be using. She was hatched and raised in that coop. I will be adding two 2 year old hens to the splash's coop. These 2 hens were hatched and raised together, are strongly bonded and can be "mean girls". Then I have the 10 month old cockerel to add.

I'm wondering if there is a right order or wrong order to add these birds? I am concerned for the single splash hen going against the mean girls, but since its already her territory maybe she'll have the upper hand? Or should I integrate the cockerel to the splash hen first, so she'll have an ally against the 2 hens?? How about integrating all at the same time? The coop is big enough for me to section off a part for the 2 hens, a separate section for the cockerel, and still have room for the splash to have her space. Any suggestions??

 

[Yardmom]

Try all at once and see what the reactions are to see if any separation is needed.

 

[Mrs. K]

I agree, try and see. Might consider pin-less peepers if it goes rough. I am assuming this is a breeding group - so smaller set up? The pin-less peepers can really help in small set ups, from what I understand.

10 month cockerel, might manage things, might not. If the pair, are real aggressive, separating them from each other for a week might help, before you do the mix, then I would mix them all together. Mrs K

 

[aart]

The coop is big enough for me to section off a part for the 2 hens, a separate section for the cockerel, and still have room for the splash to have her space.

How big is that in feet by feet?
Pics would help here.
Separate sections would be good.

 

[Trish1974]

How big is that in feet by feet?
Pics would help here.
Separate sections would be good.

The coop is 6' long by 5' wide. I put panels up and sectioned off one corner yesterday for the two mean ones. I can get pics this evening.

 

[Mrs. K]

I think splitting the two mean ones might really help.

 

[Trish1974]

I think splitting the two mean ones might really help.

That is a good idea. I had not thought of that.

(Still working on those pics, aart).

 

[Trish1974]

@aart The first video is from the door looking in. The corner already sectioned off is for the 2 mean hens. The small space to the left of the panels is where I considered putting the cockerel. It would block off the splash hen from all the nest boxes but I could make something temporary for her. I only do a short (3-4 day) integration period for cocks/cockerels.

This view is from the chicken door side looking towards the man door.