Darned hens integrated themselves

[Creteloc]

I have a large run that's been divided in half. I had my older 2 hens in one half and my 4 younger Sussex hens in the other (connected to a new coop) so they could get to know each other. It's only been a week. They were divided with chicken wire. The older hens were put into the run each morning and returned to the old coop at night to sleep.

I got home from work yesterday and 'someone', I blame my EE, dug a dust bath and somehow managed to dig it under the chicken wire. They integrated themselves!

There wasn't any blood. The Sussex's weren't very happy but were staying respectfully away from the older hens. The older hens made themselves right at home in the Sussex's new coop, even going so far as to lay their eggs in the Sussex's nesting boxes.

So, do I consider them integrated and let them go? Do I just let them stay together during the day right now or do I let the older ones sleep in the new coop now? I'm not sure the protocol when the hens break the rules.

 

[BY Bob]

My suggestion would be to watch them and see how it goes. Sounds like there is enough room for the younger ones to get away if needed. I would just keep tabs on them and to separate if things get out of hand. How old are the Sussex?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Isn't it amazing how easy integration can be sometimes? We tend to be very cautious in our suggestions and occasionally there are horror stories, but often it can be this easy.

Since they are doing fine on their own I'd leave them alone. The most I'd do is tear down that fence between the two coops. Let them mingle during the day as they wish. Let them sleep wherever they want. The only reason I'd consider forcing them to sleep together would be for your convenience, it may be easier for you to lock them in one coop at night instead of two or maybe you want to not clean an extra droppings board. But as far as their behaviors you are better off letting then get more used to each other during the day before you lock them up together.

I don't know how old those Sussex pullet are or what your new coop looks like, size or layout. At some point you probably do want them all sleeping together, there may be some reason you want that sooner rather than later. Again being cautious, I'd suggest you give them time to settle this for you as well, if they will. If they don't move on their own I'd wait until they have roamed together for a few more weeks before moving the older hens in there at night.

Things seem to be going great. Unless you have some compelling reason to force them to sleep together sooner rather than later, I'd be glad things are going great and just relax.

 

[Creteloc]

The Sussex's are 6 months old and already laying. The ultimate goal is to get them all together. The new coop is an 8x8 shed that I converted, so it's big enough for all 6 chickens. I'm VERY much ready to get them all together. Keeping 2 separate waters, foods, nesting boxes, etc is a hassle. I just want to do it safely. The new coop is also more predator proof and much nicer.

 

[BantyChooks]

Isn't it amazing how easy integration can be sometimes? We tend to be very cautious in our suggestions and occasionally there are horror stories, but often it can be this easy.

Absolutely agree. I had an adult bantam hen that took two days to integrate fully. I had her penned separately, but after said two days she escaped, ran straight to the main coop, and went to roost. She had only been in there once before, while I was changing her water. It was weird, but I sure didn't complain. Putting in year-olds is usually a bit more hairy than that. I still have her, and she's a good reliable broody and she gets along with everyone.

 

[snow5164]

I’d consider yourself lucky , you didn’t see the process . I’d leave them together , just watch them . Have a great day your work is done

 

[Ridgerunner]

The Sussex's are 6 months old and already laying. The ultimate goal is to get them all together. The new coop is an 8x8 shed that I converted, so it's big enough for all 6 chickens. I'm VERY much ready to get them all together. Keeping 2 separate waters, foods, nesting boxes, etc is a hassle. I just want to do it safely. The new coop is also more predator proof and much nicer.

I can certainly understand. That sounds like a nice coop and the pullets are laying. That makes it better. I thought you might be dealing with younger pullets.

I'd tear down that fence, it's only in the way. Give them a couple of more days to roan together, then after they have gone to bed, move the adults into the new coop and lock the door. When I do that I just toss them on the floor, let them work out where they sleep. Then be down there pretty early the next morning to open the pop door. I keep doing that until I'm comfortable they will be OK in there together. Usually it takes me once or twice before I'm comfortable sleeping in more before I go down there to let them out.

With that kind of room and with those pullets laying I don't think you will have any problems. I often do this with 12 week old pullets that have been roaming with the adult flock for about a month.

 

[Trish1974]

I have a set up similar to yours, @Creteloc and had a similar situation. I was letting the 2 new ones mingle with the old flock in the afternoons, and they would all go back to their respective coops at night. I noticed my old girls getting cranky with the newbies towards roosting time, so I was dreading putting the new ones in the main coop (and putting it off because of that), then one night the new ones followed the old girls into the coop, and it went fairly smooth. Guess they knew better than I did when the time was right!

 

[aart]

I'm not sure the protocol when the hens break the rules.

'bout lost my mouthful of coffee!!
Mr./Ms. Creteloc.... tear down that wall!