Full Integration started this morning

[Twoleggedmotherhen]

That works as well, having the chicks use their own coop, though don't be surprised if they decide to change it up on their own once they get older. And you handled the food situation nicely as well - as you said, the hens can't guard every source of food if there's more food stations available.

If they decide to change to big coop that is fine, part of letting thing happen naturally. The food was easy, with having multiple dogs food dish for each in their own space, only made sense to do the same for the chickens. Thank you for the words of encouragement.

 

[Twoleggedmotherhen]

Had a big surprise a half hour ago. Went and peeked at them to my surprise the head hen(Plymouth Rock) and the Brahma were laying down right next to the chicks! When the neighbor came in on his motorcycle the head hen stood up and took her protection stance and growled. She doesn't like him at all, he was mean to them when they free ranged.
I can't express in words how happy I am with all the good progress that has happened in these 2 days. Not one squawk all day, so that meant not 1 peck. Chicks were checking out the big coop today, went half way in the door, turned around and back out. At least they are looking.

 

[aart]

Congrats!

 

[Twoleggedmotherhen]

Congrats!

Thank You

 

[Twoleggedmotherhen]

Tonight was a very interesting and comical roosting. The older hens went in to roost. I hear soft clucks, then got a little louder. I went out to see what in the wored was going on. It was the head hen, Lily. It appeared she was trying to get the chicks to come into the big coop. (They did venture into the big coop this evening) The chicks were are the door but only stuck their heads in. Lily got down off the roost and went out. Giving the low clucks. She got them to the door, they stopped, she tried to get them inside but they wouldn't go. Ran away. She kept trying for almost a half hour. Finally gave up and went to roost.
Then came the comical part. Chicks ran to the big coop door, stuck heads in, then turned and ran to the small coop, running inside then back out, back to big coop. Again sticking heads in. They did this for a little over 20 minutes. I was watching out the bedroom window, laughing at them. They finally decided to go into the little coop. Went out and shut their door. Peeked in like every night, they were settled in. Told them good night. (Tell all of them good night and that I love them.)Told Lily that they were okay, they are shut in the little coop.

 

[MissChick@dee]

So happy you’re hens did so well on their first day. Made me smile because I just went through something very similar. Kinda makes you proud right? When I would try to tell my friends about it...they’d just roll their eyes. I’m so happy people here get it. It’s better than watching any sitcom on television.

 

[Twoleggedmotherhen]

So happy you’re hens did so well on their first day. Made me smile because I just went through something very similar. Kinda makes you proud right? When I would try to tell my friends about it...they’d just roll their eyes. I’m so happy people here get it. It’s better than watching any sitcom on television.

It sure does make you proud. Congrats on yours as well! Have a couple of friends who understands it (they've had chickens, so they know lol). But Yes it is great to have a community that completely understands. When hubby gets home, he always asks what did the chickens do today and how many eggs? His boss has chickens and they(her and son at the shop) told him to tell me to be prepared for bloody chicks. Today he said he bragged to the boss that we had minimal pecking. No charging, chasing, aggressive hens. Said wait until tomorrow when I tell her that the head hen is trying to get the chicks to come into the big coop, she will be jealous.
Lily (head hen)has been great from the first day she saw the chicks. She went broody, wanted to be with them. Then she molted. No eggs for 10 weeks. Told her last Wednesday, she had better start laying eggs soon or she was going to get a one way ticket to freezer camp. Next day she laid an egg and has every day since. LOL

 

[aart]

I'm 'proud' that you made such great observations and described them so well.
You are a bit lucky that you have such a benevolent hen head.
The broody part sure helped.
Did you 'break' her broodiness?
Wonder how long it will take for Lily to get those chicks into the big coop?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Congratulations and thanks for continuing the story. Sometimes it is that easy. Often the dominant rooster will act like your head hen is acting. Each chicken is an individual, you never can tell what will happen.

You tend to read about the ones gone bad, not the success stories like yours. We tend to give very conservative advice because it can go bad, we want everyone to have success. I'm really glad it has worked so well for you.

 

[Twoleggedmotherhen]

I'm 'proud' that you made such great observations and described them so well.
You are a bit lucky that you have such a benevolent hen head.
The broody part sure helped.
Did you 'break' her broodiness?
Wonder how long it will take for Lily to get those chicks into the big coop?

It is easy for me to observe what is going on. The coop & run are 10 feet from our motorhome(full time rvers, no more travels due to health issues). I can watch them from a chair by the door.
I didn't break the broodiness. I let her play mommy through the barrier. She was teaching them through the barrier, even tried to give them treats. I let nature take its course. Once when I was taking pictures, they were squawking and Lily pecked me in the hiney. I finger pecked her back, she never did that again...lol.
I'm wondering how long it will take her to coax them in the big coop. Going to be interesting to watch.