Chicken integration and new run area

[mldlm]

Let me first start out by apologizing if I am repeating myself…. I have two blue australorps and two white leghorns that are all 19 weeks old and one speckled Sussex and one black australorp, which are 8 weeks old. They have been together in the run and coop, but separated by a cage for the smaller ones, for about three weeks. We have expanded the run from 8 x 8’ to 8 x 14’. I have heard about using a technique of rearranging everything in the new run and then putting all of them out. The big girls will be preoccupied with the new area arrangement that they won’t pay much attention to the little girls. I will also set up a few areas where the younger ones can “hide” at the beginning. A couple of different food setups and water setups, too. Anything else I might need to know to help the integration? Thanks!

 

[Auntiejessi3]

That about covers it, and with 3 weeks of being able to see each other there shouldn't be to many problems. I'd do your rearranging and get everything set up then let the littles out and supervise. There may be some chasing and pecking, as long as no one is getting hurt (blood being drawn or ganging up) let it play out. If this is your first integration it may look a bit worse than it is, just beath and watch

 

[Mrs. K]

After you re-arrange, let the littles out there to explore it, without the big girls. Gives them a bit of confidence. later on let the bigs in, kind of close to dark.

 

[mldlm]

So, I tried the integration today….ugh! One of my blue australorps actually picked up the younger black australorp by the scruff of the neck and lifted her up, taking some feathers with it. Is this normal? It was heartbreaking to see. I am a little surprised that they were so aggressive. I just need to know if this is normal, or should I wait to integrate a little longer? Please advise! Thanks

 

[aart]

They have been together in the run and coop, but separated by a cage for the smaller ones, for about three weeks.

Were the littles out there 24/7?

Multiple feeder and water stations?
Pics of your setup might help here.
Places to 'hide'?
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[mldlm]

Multiple feeders and water stations. A little cage that they’ve been in for the last three weeks for the look but don’t touch is there. I put a brick in the door of it so that it opens enough for the little ones but not the big ones so they can go back and when they feel like they need to. But the big ones are so darn fast! I’ll post some pictures in a little bit.

 

[Mrs. K]

Put the bigs in the place that you have the chicks, and let the chicks out in the run. It sounds crazy, but I swear that the bigs get to see the chicks in 'their' space, and the sky does not fall. What I think it really does, is allows the chicks to get some territorial rights to the new space.
Even though the chicks can see that space, the space has been off limits, and they feel very uncomfortable in that space. The bigs have dominated that space and will defend it.

So let the littles explore, find the hideouts with out the bigs. Then maybe just add one of the bigs to the area for a couple of days, then the last one close to dark.

Mrs K

 

[mldlm]

Put the bigs in the place that you have the chicks, and let the chicks out in the run. It sounds crazy, but I swear that the bigs get to see the chicks in 'their' space, and the sky does not fall. What I think it really does, is allows the chicks to get some territorial rights to the new space.
Even though the chicks can see that space, the space has been off limits, and they feel very uncomfortable in that space. The bigs have dominated that space and will defend it.

So let the littles explore, find the hideouts with out the bigs. Then maybe just add one of the bigs to the area for a couple of days, then the last one close to dark.

Mrs K

I would like to try this, as it sounds like it may work. However, the area the chicks are in is too small for the four big girls. In the pics, I just set up the various hiding places and may try again. The hiding places weren’t there before my first attempt. I expected some pecking, but I was not prepared for what I saw. My husband thinks they need to stay in the cage until they get more size to them. I am really ready to integrate so I don’t have to move the chicks from the cage in the run to the cage in the coop every day and night. So, it seems to me, to be one of three choices: try again with the hiding places (but what about nighttime in the coop), keep the big girls in the coop for most of the day and let the little ones explore the run, or wait awhile for the littles to get a bit bigger.….

 

[Auntiejessi3]

How big is your run in feet?

 

[Mrs. K]

Ok, here are some other ideas.

• Can you let the big girls out of the coop/run? Keep the chicks in the bigger space? They really just need some time in that big space without the big girls.
• Could you put one or two of the most aggressive birds in the chick place?
• Set up a hiding place in the coop, chicks will often times just sleep on the floor, and then eventually work their way up to the roosts.

Wait - put your hide out up against the chick pen opening. I like the way it can be approached by multiple sides. Then let them work it out. Eventually the chicks will venture forth and escape back to their security spot ON THEIR TERMS.

Having similar hideouts through out the area is good. More clutter the better.

I think you are a bit tight on space for integration, so if all else fails, get some pin-less peepers. They can really help in smaller set ups.

Mrs K