Help for easier integration

Waves

I feed chickens with italian pizza. No,I'm joking!
6 Years
Apr 16, 2019
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Centre of Italy
Hi guys :):):)
After quarantine, after the look don't touch, i united my old flock (three ISA, six years old) with my new flock composed by two laying chicks (5 months), and a couple of silkie (roo and hen, 7 months old)
I think the integration is going quite well, but i'd like to have some advices.
i notice that, while silkies are very meek and don't make kerfuffle with older hens, the two black chicks don't seem to understand that there is a pecking order and make the old hens very nervous. :he
Old hens sometimes hit them, but not seriously, they don't hurt them. And let chicks eat and drink even though the bullying.
So i feel a tense atmosphere in my flock, and i think all are getting a bit stressed cause i heard some sneezes with changes in the weather this month (nothing serious, they are all fine and doing all chicken things and they breathe normally..but i don't like it..)
They're getting more nervous with me, too..
have you any advice for making easier this integration? i know it isn't a serious problem, but i would like to hear your experiences :pop
 
Hi guys :):):)
After quarantine, after the look don't touch, i united my old flock (three ISA, six years old) with my new flock composed by two laying chicks (5 months), and a couple of silkie (roo and hen, 7 months old)
I think the integration is going quite well, but i'd like to have some advices.
i notice that, while silkies are very meek and don't make kerfuffle with older hens, the two black chicks don't seem to understand that there is a pecking order and make the old hens very nervous. :he
Old hens sometimes hit them, but not seriously, they don't hurt them. And let chicks eat and drink even though the bullying.
So i feel a tense atmosphere in my flock, and i think all are getting a bit stressed cause i heard some sneezes with changes in the weather this month (nothing serious, they are all fine and doing all chicken things and they breathe normally..but i don't like it..)
They're getting more nervous with me, too..
have you any advice for making easier this integration? i know it isn't a serious problem, but i would like to hear your experiences :pop
How long since you put them all together?

Your older hens, are they molting? Do they have new feathers coming in, that can make them more cautious since they don't want to be touched.

IF there's just some normal pecking, chasing, etc. and no one is getting hurt - sounds like all are getting to eat, then I would leave them be for a couple of weeks. Once pullets come into lay, a lot of times things settle down.
 
I will confirm you do not have any real problem. Since the older hens are already making accommodations for the upstart black pullets, that is one major hurdle out of the way.

The remainder of the integration will take time during which the youngsters will, by trial and error, figure out their place in the social order.

It's normal for the flock to be stressed during the integration period. You can feed a bit of high protein treats such as canned mackerel or tofu or hard boiled eggs, and that will help them overcome stress during this period.

You should see a smoothly functioning flock inside of a week or two.
 
How much space do you have? You have basically doubled your flock. The size of the coop for most of us is static.

What worked well up to now, may not be enough space as the young birds approach full size. Chicks are so tiny, it is really hard to believe that they really do get big.

Years ago, I got chicken math, and got too many birds. As the chicks were raised in the set up, it was fine, but gradually the tension started to rise in the flock. I had a predator get in and reduce my flock (ugh!) but almost immediately I felt the flock relax. The tension that I was not really strongly aware of, was gone. I took a head count, and come the fall, that is what is in that coop.

One can also cheat a bit in the summer, the long days of summer, most of the 24 hours they are outside. But this time of year... most of the 24 hours they are roosted up, getting on each others nerves.

So count heads, measure the coop, measure the run. You might have to make some tough decisions, but always solve for peace of the flock.

Mrs K
 
Old hens sometimes hit them, but not seriously, they don't hurt them. And let chicks eat and drink even though the bullying.
Perfectly normal.
Do the chicks run away when the get 'hit'?

Some good questions as about time and space, looking forward to seeing the answers.
 
the run is about 100 square mteres...
thank you for all infomrations!!! :hugs:hugs:hugs:hugs:hugs
yes, chicks run away whan they get hit
 
the integration period. You can feed a bit of high protein treats such as canned mackerel or tofu or hard boiled eggs, and that will help them overcome stress during this period.

Very good advice, i'll do that! :hugs

What about sneezing? I think it is only stress and temperature that goes up and down.. Maybe my old hens are carriers of a light respiratory disease and, with the stress, they are manifesting it. Im looking for it, they act absolutely normal, they do crazy things like all days :Dand im giving them garlic and apple vinegar.
 

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