How do i intergrate chickens?

[ChristieB]

Ok, when people say dog crate what exactly do they mean because in my mind it's a small plastic box with a mesh door on the front. I must be on the wrong track because I can't imagine how 1 chook could be living in such a tight space let alone 2 or more, are there roosts etc??

 

[pdirt]

Ok, when people say dog crate what exactly do they mean because in my mind it's a small plastic box with a mesh door on the front. I must be on the wrong track because I can't imagine how 1 chook could be living in such a tight space let alone 2 or more, are there roosts etc??

This is why pictures are worth 1000 words! Plus we are all from different parts of the world, where the same word has different meanings.

 

[chickens123432]

Definitely sounds like a stress due to confinement issue. I second the idea to post pictures of their cages and wounds.

im not sure how to post pictures. i just joined today

 

[chickens123432]

Ok, when people say dog crate what exactly do they mean because in my mind it's a small plastic box with a mesh door on the front. I must be on the wrong track because I can't imagine how 1 chook could be living in such a tight space let alone 2 or more, are there roosts etc??

this is just temporary being in the dog crates to integrate them so the other 2 don't have to sit out in the cold. The dog crate is HUGE. I can fit in it and they get to get out and walk around.

 

[chickens123432]

Confinement is way too tight. Confined birds more apt to scrap. Could post images of birds and their wounds? Also indicate how they are to be housed once integrated.

They are in huge dog crates that even i can fit in with some room left and get to run around outside. Also I don't not know how to post photos. Once they are integrated they will go back down to the coop (with an attached run) with can house 4-6 birds so they will all fit in there perfectly.

 

[aart]

Are you 'integrating' by trying to put all 4 birds into one crate?
Is your coop empty or are there other birds in there?

 

[pdirt]

Quote:
Assuming you're on the desktop browser version of BYC (not the mobile version):

1. Click "reply" to any message.
2. Once in the message view, on the upper right corner of the message should be 6 icons (picture, film strip, table, line, omega, smiley face).
If you don't see 6 icons, then you'll instead see 4 (picture, film strip, smiley face, quote)
3. Click on the picture icon and it will allow you to upload a photo to BYC for inserting into messages.

Also, post a photo of your coop. If it's one of those pre-fab "houses 4-6 chickens!" then it's probably really only good for 2-3 as they tend to push the limits on how many chickens can really fit in one of those.

While your description of the dog crates does make them sound large enough, I wouldn't be surprised if you posted a photo and someone pointed out something that could be contributing to them feeling confined.

 

[chickens123432]

Are you 'integrating' by trying to put all 4 birds into one crate?
Is your coop empty or are there other birds in there?

I took the birds out of the coop to bring them up in the garage to hopefully make them less territorial to introduce them. But they will go back down to the coop when i get them together

 

[ChristieB]

I'm afraid you've actually caused a problem rather than avoiding one . First thing you should do is, once the sun goes down take them out and put them on their roost, all 4 of them, make sure they are able to get into the run as soon as they wake up, they will squabble a bit but make sure they have a few places to get away from each other and more than one feeder and waterer, maybe a treat like a pumpkin or watermelon to peck instead of each other and they will sort it out.
If they really fight and it doesn't die down then separate but keep them within sight of each other or you will have to start all over again

 

[chickens123432]

I'm afraid you've actually caused a problem rather than avoiding one . First thing you should do is, once the sun goes down take them out and put them on their roost, all 4 of them, make sure they are able to get into the run as soon as they wake up, they will squabble a bit but make sure they have a few places to get away from each other and more than one feeder and waterer, maybe a treat like a pumpkin or watermelon to peck instead of each other and they will sort it out.
If they really fight and it doesn't die down then separate but keep them within sight of each other or you will have to start all over again

I've tried that already