- May 8, 2008
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Ok 1st I'm able to see in the coop a bit using a baby cam and I got it so when intergrading I can see! And so I've had a *makeshift* partition in the chicken coop for the past 3 wks. separating my 4 month old Austrolorp from my 8 week old Buff Orpingtons. Last week the Orpingtons decided the partition didn't go allthe way to the top of the coop & so it must be meant to be a roosting bar & they just wanted *nothing to do with the 2X4 that was put in there for that purpose*. The Austrolorp goes in for the night & settles in & *that is it* she wants nothing more than to hunker down & sleep till the morning now. The Orpingtons mean while are ALL excited over the bugs that fly to 7 fro with the light in their & they can really kick up a rukus while after them. All this time the Austrolorp has been technically able to reach them on that perch but is just ignoring them with the exception of a dagger look when they disturb her. 1 fell on her side last week & she was NOT HAPPY with her..... But going on the advice of a BYCer I started allowing them to freerange for short periods last week & over the weekend gave them a LOT of time out together. Last night the Austrolorp put herself into the coop on the side that had been traditionally for the Orpingtons & gave a look as if to say "I was here long before them & this is my spot" & the Orpingtons were all up on the perch anyway so I left them. I knew this morning they'd all be mixed up as to which side was which though & so I just made certain to be awake when they were & they did ok being in with her for a little while until I'd gone out & let them out. Hubby said yesterday when they were all in their enclosed area the Austrolorp had laid down next to them sort of part of them yet not "in the flock" yet. They all seemed to be doing ok today too & so I thought to see what would happen if I took out the partition..... So far so good but there is that period of time when I sleep.... LOL Please pray I wake up & they're all still coexisting...? The Austrolorp initially let a couple of those chicks have it & I didn't think they'd EVER intergrate but she seems to be tolerating them now even though she has a few nasty looks for them at times. She does give case when outside but I don't think any more than they're doing with each other. And I think the BO Roo is actually trying to assert himself with her the little darling..... He is this little 8 wk old that is a serious as a heart attack when it comes to his Roo responsibilities...... Anyway I'd wanted to open the coop up without the partition so they'll all have more room. Frankly I think the Austrolorp could use the company of the flock and life would be a lot easier with them just acting as a flock now... Some times they do seem to be accepting each other but the Orpingtons are a bit afraid of her some times & they run from her when outside & WHO could blame them?! They do seem to mix in a bit now though and here's a pic from Sat. when they were all out & on the same bush together. Almost hard to see her standing in front of the bush but the roo is to her right & almost looks as big as her.