Hi from TN!

[JeaDec]

Newish chicken mama here. I have 12 10 week old cockerels and pullets in the coop/run. I need to integrate 28 pullets (a few suspected cockerels) that are 5/6 weeks old. Best way? They’re all feathered in except the one gal who won’t take any bullying. She’s had a few pulled in the dominance game. Ideas, thoughts? Our temps are just too hot to keep these guys in the brooder any longer

 

[Jener8or]

Hi! I think one of the best ways to integrate them is if you could pen them up in the coop or super close in their own pen so the others can meet them, but not touch them. After a few weeks, everyone should be acquainted and you can let everyone together and see how it goes.

If there is still a bully, then separate them for awhile from the flock (but still in the flock like with the chicks) then see how they all do together after time-out.

I hope it goes great! Thanks for joining and welcome to BackYard Chickens!

 

[muddy75]

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
If you could post pictures of your setup, that would be great. With that many birds you're going to need a lot of space. And you need a lot of clutter in that space along with multiple feed and water stations and places to hide. You are undoubtedly also going to need to rehome most of the cockerels.

 

[Debbie292d]

I pretty much have been dealing with this on a smaller scale for a month, and what @DobieLover said works... lots of space, dual feeders/waterers, and clutter.

 

[N F C]

Hi, some good tips from @Jener8or and @DobieLover...hope they help. Best wishes!

 

[JeaDec]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
If you could post pictures of your setup, that would be great. With that many birds you're going to need a lot of space. And you need a lot of clutter in that space along with multiple feed and water stations and places to hide. You are undoubtedly also going to need to rehome most of the cockerels.

We figured out what to do, we’re blocking off part of the run for the youngins and they’ll have their own coop space in their area. We have a very large coop and run built for these numbers and then some. I’ll keep a few cockerels and the others will do their other job - dual purpose birds when it’s time.

 

[JeaDec]

Hi! I think one of the best ways to integrate them is if you could pen them up in the coop or super close in their own pen so the others can meet them, but not touch them. After a few weeks, everyone should be acquainted and you can let everyone together and see how it goes.

If there is still a bully, then separate them for awhile from the flock (but still in the flock like with the chicks) then see how they all do together after time-out.

I hope it goes great! Thanks for joining and welcome to BackYard Chickens!

That’s what we’re doing! Measured it all out and Saturday is the day! Thanks!!!

 

[Bsmac]

Newish chicken mama here. I have 12 10 week old cockerels and pullets in the coop/run. I need to integrate 28 pullets (a few suspected cockerels) that are 5/6 weeks old. Best way? They’re all feathered in except the one gal who won’t take any bullying. She’s had a few pulled in the dominance game. Ideas, thoughts? Our temps are just too hot to keep these guys in the brooder any longer

Hello! Welcome to BYC!

 

[sourland]

Hello, and welcome to BYC. In my experience, integrating large numbers of birds has gone more smoothly than integrating a smaller number. Space and multiple feed/water stations speed the process.