Dark Room Integration

[CalgaryFarmer]

I am integrating three 15 week olds to an existing group of 4 hens who are a year and a half old.

I allowed them to get to know one another in a 600 to 700 square foot run on and off over a week.

I put the new group in the coop during the day today so they could get use to it. I locked out the old group when I was not able to supervise and let the old group come and go when I was able to supervise. I made sure everyone behaved.

Late in the evening I blocked out all the windows so the coop would be pitch black. I allowed each group to roost on separate roosting bars. When everyone was settled I turned out the lights. If they cannot see one another then there will not be any skirmishes. I have checked on them and all seems to be well.

The plan in the morning is to let them out early.

 

[GitaBooks]

That sounds like an awesome plan!

 

[centrarchid]

If hens too hard on juveniles this morning, then consider removing all but highest ranking hen from in with the younger birds in the coop all will be housed in. Once that hen settles down then introduce a lower rank hen. The dominant hen can then suppress aggression of others coming in as part of maintaining her rank.

 

[CalgaryFarmer]

I turned on the lights and saw everyone outside. I will repeat tonight.

Centrarchid, thanks for the suggestion. I will do that if things get out of hand.

 

[Mrs. K]

Just beware of heat build up with the windows blocked. Truthfully, if they are not killing each other, acting aggressive toward the younger birds, I think you are over it.

The younger birds will probably hang together in a subflock, within the main flock until they either start to lay eggs or it gets good and cold. Nothing like a winter to bring a flock together.

Mrs K

 

[CalgaryFarmer]

They are starting to hang out in fairly close proximity in the run. There are some small charges but nothing serious.

 

[Mrs. K]

Then you are past the worst.

 

[CalgaryFarmer]

Thanks. It is my first time. Going fairly well.

 

[CalgaryFarmer]

The family went out last night (movie and a bite to eat) and I left the coop door open. I was interested on whether they would put themselves in. Sure enough they did. I had to move one of the older hens around to free up a roosting bar for the juveniles.

I did not cover the windows.

In the morning (6:00 am) they were all on the coop floor waiting for the door to open.

I thought there would be a lot more drama.

 

[aart]

The family went out last night (movie and a bite to eat) and I left the coop door open. I was interested on whether they would put themselves in. Sure enough they did. I had to move one of the older hens around to free up a roosting bar for the juveniles.

I did not cover the windows.

In the morning (6:00 am) they were all on the coop floor waiting for the door to open.

I thought there would be a lot more drama.

Well, you did the prework of integrating in the run, that can help a LOT.
Congrats!