Flock integration follow up question

[Gwhite3678]

I’ve had my new batch of chicks (6 now 9/10weeks old) in the coop with my flock of 2-3 year old hens for a little over a week in a see/no touch situation.

I let them out yesterday to mingle with the girls and it was pretty anti-climatic. The pullets mostly stayed in the coop and didn’t venture much out into the run.

I stayed up there about an hour and put them back into the little area they have been staying in, I did the same this morning with the same result

At what point can I just let them out with the flock without needing to hover? I also typically free range in the afternoons, should I allow them to do the same? I doubt they will venture far at this point.

I don’t have tons of time to just sit up at the coop to keep an eye on them but I also want to keep progressing so I can have them our of the secluded area since that’s extra cleaning feeders waters ect to manage

The run I believe is 10x20 coop 8x12 I did put extra things in the run for hiding there are also roosts and things in there for them

 

[PoppasGrill]

We usually fully integrate after 7-8 weeks and lock them in their forever home for a week or so so they don’t keep running back to our brooder coop at night. Made that mistake one time and could get them to go to coop at night as they kept trying to go to the brood coop.
There will be some group ground snuggling at night and maybe a little bullying, if you check on them from time to time to make sure there is not blood being drawn or any drastic bullying they should be fine after a few days.

 

[Yardmom]

How did the older birds react to the younger birds? Being you didn't mention this, my guess is you don't need to take your younger birds back to their own area.

 

[Gwhite3678]

How did the older birds react to the younger birds? Being you didn't mention this, my guess is you don't need to take your younger birds back to their own area.

They mostly ignored them the only issue which really wasn’t an issue was when I gave them some mealworms which is everyone’s favorite thing in the world and some of the littles got a bit over zealous and the older girls gave some pecks. The littles went and hid in a crate

 

[rosemarythyme]

If they've been out 2 days without much issue I'd just leave them to it. Sounds like you've covered your bases with clutter and having a safe area for the time being as well.

I don't free range except for a short period in afternoons and even if I leave the run door open I've noticed that human brooded chicks aren't inclined to leave the run for weeks. If your flock has free range access all afternoon likely your chicks will venture out sooner than mine, but they'll stick close by until they're more comfortable being away from home.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don’t have tons of time to just sit up at the coop to keep an eye on them but I also want to keep progressing so I can have them our of the secluded area since that’s extra cleaning feeders waters ect to manage

The run I believe is 10x20 coop 8x12 I did put extra things in the run for hiding there are also roosts and things in there for them

So the secluded area is inside the coop. That sounds like a good move. I don't know if your chicks are all female or a mix of sexes. Right now that should not matter. Once any cockerels hit puberty it can get a lot more exciting.

Until my pullets mature enough to force their way into the pecking order (usually about the time they start laying) they form a sub-flock. They coexist with the adults but avoid them, day and night. If they get too close to the adults they are likely to get pecked or worse. So during the day they avoid the adults as much as they can. With your run being fairly small it is pretty common for them to avoid the older ones by staying in the coop.

I do not have a timing for cockerels. Each time it is different.

What happens when your chicks are in the coop and the hens are in the run and a hen goes into the coop to lay an egg? With mine the chicks typically fly up to the roosts to avoid the hen. The hen goes to a nest, lays her egg, and leaves without bothering the chicks.

Where do you want the chicks to sleep at night? I don't know details of how your coop is set up but my adults sleep on the roosts and the chicks sleep somewhere else. I generally wait until they have been able to mingle in the run during the day without any aggression before I move the chicks in at night but I am fairly cautious. I don't care where mine sleep as long as it is predator safe and not in the nests.

I also want to keep progressing so I can have them our of the secluded area since that’s extra cleaning feeders waters ect to manage

I keep widely separated multiple feeding and watering stations available when integrating so the younger can eat and drink without being bullied by the adults. That way they can eat and drink without conflict.

 

[Gwhite3678]

So the secluded area is inside the coop. That sounds like a good move. I don't know if your chicks are all female or a mix of sexes. Right now that should not matter. Once any cockerels hit puberty it can get a lot more exciting.

Until my pullets mature enough to force their way into the pecking order (usually about the time they start laying) they form a sub-flock. They coexist with the adults but avoid them, day and night. If they get too close to the adults they are likely to get pecked or worse. So during the day they avoid the adults as much as they can. With your run being fairly small it is pretty common for them to avoid the older ones by staying in the coop.

I do not have a timing for cockerels. Each time it is different.

What happens when your chicks are in the coop and the hens are in the run and a hen goes into the coop to lay an egg? With mine the chicks typically fly up to the roosts to avoid the hen. The hen goes to a nest, lays her egg, and leaves without bothering the chicks.

Where do you want the chicks to sleep at night? I don't know details of how your coop is set up but my adults sleep on the roosts and the chicks sleep somewhere else. I generally wait until they have been able to mingle in the run during the day without any aggression before I move the chicks in at night but I am fairly cautious. I don't care where mine sleep as long as it is predator safe and not in the nests.


I keep widely separated multiple feeding and watering stations available when integrating so the younger can eat and drink without being bullied by the adults. That way they can eat and drink without conflict.

Yes the area the chicks area is inside the coop they mostly stay in the coop when I let them out if the hens are in the run but venture out once the hens go out to free range. If a hen goes into lay they just go to the far side of the coop or go back into the area they have being kept in, I leave the door open.

So far all the hens are ignoring them except for 1 who as soon as she sees them out goes after them and they all scatter and try to hide. She chases them down and has been biting but no blood drawn yet. Since that’s been going on I’ve only been letting them out if I can be up there. So an hour or so twice a day.

I don’t care where they sleep I assume it will be on the floor for a bit until they feel comfortable on the roosts I have added an extra one lower down specifically for them until they want to try to go up to the high one or on the ladder some use.

I’m wondering if I should separate the aggressive hen and leave the chicks out full time since she seems to be the only issue.

As an side of the chicks is a cockerel I had a bad experience with my last rooster and hoping this one is better suited, it’s a buff Orpington