Another integrating question

[Chickengene]

This question is about attempting to bond my one outcast hen with the five remaining new chicks at an early age. while the chicks are growing and feathering to about eight weeks.
Then at about eight weeks I will reintegrate Penny and the chicks with the older flock in the main coop.

 

[Chickengene]

It very well could work. When you do integrate I might suggest hanging cabbage/ lettuce, flock block, even parrot toys.... anything to provide lack of boredom and keep bullies attention on something more 'productive'. Maybe give extra feed and water dishes. I would expect some pecking order but watch for injuries.
Good luck!!

They are mostly free range. When they get bored they come looking for me.
Stepped out onto the porch yesterday after lunch and all five were sitting there waiting on me.

 

[Chickengene]

Definitely multiple feed/water stations.

Important part of ....
Integration Basics:

It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

Thanks will take a read.

 

[aart]

You are talking about the rabbit hutch I am wanting to put the one hen into with the chicks, right?

Yes.

Hutch is 24''h x48"w x32"d with welded wire mesh divider. It has attached
2-24" x 24" x 16' runs.
Depends on the weather how old chicks will be. At this point I expect they will be two to four weeks old.

That sounds like it might work OK, space might be a bit tight, unless it's all protected from the weather. Would work even better if you can heat the area for the chicks when they are young.
Will chicks be hatched there or bought as one day olds?
24 x 32" might get tight for 5 chicks by 8 weeks old.
Will hutch be near existing coop and run?

Oh, and, Welcome to BYC!
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[Chickengene]

Yes.

That sounds like it might work OK, space might be a bit tight, unless it's all protected from the weather. Would work even better if you can heat the area for the chicks when they are young.
Will chicks be hatched there or bought as one day olds?
24 x 32" might get tight for 5 chicks by 8 weeks old.
Will hutch be near existing coop and run?

Oh, and, Welcome to BYC!
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!
View attachment 1682155

The 32" x 27" Is the initial brooder I put them in when I purchased them as four or five day old chicks.
I intend to switch them to the 32" x 24" In a few weeks. It has an attached 32" x 15' run and a regulated heating pad in the coop. The coop is divided in half by a wire mesh, 24" wide on both sides.
I intend to put my ostracized hen in the other side in hopes she may bond with some of the chicks.
I guess I could move the wire mesh over another 12" since the hen is already sleeping in one of the nestune boxes. The boxes are 12" x 12" x 14", so she should be ok with the 12" 24" x 32".

 

[aart]

The boxes are 12" x 12" x 14", so she should be ok with the 12" 24" x 32".

She might be 'OK'...but it's not ideal.
Is the run weather proof?
Where are you located?

 

[Chickengene]

She might be 'OK'...but it's not ideal.
Is the run weather proof?
Where are you located?

 

[Chickengene]

She might be 'OK'...but it's not ideal.
Is the run weather proof?
Where are you located?

The run is not weather proof at present. But I can make it that way pretty easily. InIin east TN.

 

[Chickengene]

Not sure the hen will be too happy being restricted to a 32" x 15' run for a few weeks. But with only the wire mesh divider, at least she won't be completely alone.

 

[aart]

The run is not weather proof at present. But I can make it that way pretty easily. InIin east TN.

I would make it weather and predator proof, more space is always better.
Will you add your location to your profile, I added instructions above.