I started my flock around 12 weeks ago, with a gift of 9 bantams from a kindly soul.
About two weeks later, I bought several Australorps, Orpingtons and Potch Koekoeks at 4 weeks of age, which I kept indoors under lights until three weeks ago, when I added them to the run.
I have read scores of threads on how to introduce newcomers to a flock, and everyone has a different slant, so I used the age-old one of simply adding them all (6) at once.
This caused a small ruckus, but despite their - now - larger size, the newcomers were soon put in place by a cocky little bantam, and all seemed fine.
However....
(There's always a 'however' in these stories, no?!)
...the newcomers do not mix with the rest of the flock at all, (in a run that's 7' x 30') and actually sleep outside the coop in the rain!
They do use an overhang, and are totally secure from predators, but do not go into the dry area of the coop at night, despite the doorway being open. We're heading to Winter now, and I'm concerned...
About two weeks later, I bought several Australorps, Orpingtons and Potch Koekoeks at 4 weeks of age, which I kept indoors under lights until three weeks ago, when I added them to the run.
I have read scores of threads on how to introduce newcomers to a flock, and everyone has a different slant, so I used the age-old one of simply adding them all (6) at once.
This caused a small ruckus, but despite their - now - larger size, the newcomers were soon put in place by a cocky little bantam, and all seemed fine.
However....
(There's always a 'however' in these stories, no?!)
...the newcomers do not mix with the rest of the flock at all, (in a run that's 7' x 30') and actually sleep outside the coop in the rain!
They do use an overhang, and are totally secure from predators, but do not go into the dry area of the coop at night, despite the doorway being open. We're heading to Winter now, and I'm concerned...
