Hi from Cambridgeshire - question about integration

[Jennyo]

Hi,

We're in rural Cambridgeshire and have had chickens for about 5 years. In the past we've always got them at point of lay, but someone gave us 2 young Cream Legbars about 6 weeks ago. I think they're about 12+ weeks old now. They've been free-ranging in the same area as our 3 big girls without any problems (they just keep away from each other).

I'd like some advice on when and how to try getting them all to sleep together in the coop at night. At the moment the big girls won't let them into the coop at night, so they are sleeping separately.

My other question is about food. At the moment we've got them all on growers' pellets. Will it adversely affect the big girls' laying after a while if they don't get layers' pellets? And at what stage do we switch over to layers' pellets for the pullets? Only when they actually start to lay, or just before?
Thanks! Jenny

 

[chickenbottom]

hi and

most arnt on at this time so you will get little replys till morning but i will help what i can. the feed you should give them layers if they are older then 12 weeks they should be okay or mix layers in with starter or feed them seperate thats kinda hard. but as for the integrating you might have to force the hens to let them sleep with them if they arnt safe then you should do all in your power to make them safe your hens will get over it im pretty sure and also it takes time for them to except new birds. you will get alot more im sure.

 

[Judy]

What I have seen recommended here is to keep them all on grower until the young ones are around 19 weeks or start laying, then gradually switch over. You can offer oyster shell separately so the hens will still get the calcium they need. The younger ones should take little or none of the oyster shell. I know that very young chicks will sustain kidney damage from the high calcium in layer. I have never seen anything definitive regarding at what age they can tolerate the layer. I have a mixed age flock who I have been feeding this way for about 10 weeks, and have had no problems with soft or thin egg shells. I have never seen the chicks go near the oyster shell.

The integration is a tougher one. You could try locking the older ones out of the coop for several nights and putting the new ones in, then try them all in there at the same time again. You could wait til the younger ones are at or nearer point of lay, after the combs have reddened, and try placing them on the roost after dark.

Here is a good site about integration:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-adding-to-your-flock

 

[texasgal]

A big Texas size

 

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[eggsrcool]

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[michelle1017]

 

[b.hromada]

Hi Jenny!

from S. Florida! Great to have you here!

 

[fldiver97]

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[eaganchickens]

from MN!