Integrated….but not?

[Sefirothe]

I have four adult hens, all just over one year old and laying.

I also have 5 pullets around 12-13 weeks old currently.

Coop is 6x8 and run is 8x12. No free ranging possible due to predator load and proximity of my neighbor’s vegetable garden.

The pullets were brooded in a cage on the coop floor and at around 5 weeks old had a small door opened to the cage so they could come and go and the adults couldn’t bother them in their cage.

I removed that cage last week as they are now big enough that if I made the door bigger to fit their current size my adult Polish hen could also squeeze in.

In any case, the pullets have been mixing with the hens for a while now.

There’s been minimal harassment of the little by the bigs. Mostly just the “get out of my space” pecks by the bigs. The little for the most part give the bigs a wiiiiidddee berth.

To the point of once the pop door is open, the littles venture out for a quick snack and drink then hightail it back into the coop…and just hang out on the poop tray or in the nest boxes. The bigs all stay out in the run, scratching and doing chicken things all day.

When a big comes into the coop to head to a nest box to lay, the littles panic and zoom between the pen, see the other bigs and run back into the coop.

Basically the two groups co-exist but separately.

At night the littles were mostly huddling in a puddle at the top of the ramp on the poop board. Lately one or two are venturing to make it onto the actual roost.

Will they ever mix?

Four adults on the roost to the left, two littles on the right and three littles on the lip of the poop board by the ramp.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

First, you need more roost space, the recommendation is 1 linear foot per bird. Second, they will be 2 separate flocks until the pullets start laying, then they will establish their place in the pecking order. How many feeders and waterers do you have in your run? Pics of your run would be great for some suggestions.

 

[Sefirothe]

I do need to get a second 2x4 cut to length and added as a second roost bar. Plans are to do that this weekend.

Two feeders and one waterer are currently in the run.

Even when I toss treats in the run the littles rarely come out to get some.

Well, except for the wheaten Marans chick. She’s aaaalllllllllllllll about food. She’s pretty much the only one that will mix in with the bigs but only if treats are involved.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

That is because the new group has been established as bottom of the pecking order. That is why when one of the older ones come in the little ones leave and why when you throw treats the little ones get out of the way. They may eventually become one flock they may still maintain their cliques. I have had both happen either way if there is no bullying it’s not an issue.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

I do need to get a second 2x4 cut to length and added as a second roost bar. Plans are to do that this weekend.

Two feeders and one waterer are currently in the run.

View attachment 3919481


View attachment 3919482

Even when I toss treats in the run the littles rarely come out to get some.

Well, except for the wheaten Marans chick. She’s aaaalllllllllllllll about food. She’s pretty much the only one that will mix in with the bigs but only if treats are involved.

See about adding some clutter to break the line of sight, a couple pallets on end, a bale of hay, so that the littles can be somewhere in the run and the bigs can't see them and vice versa.

 

[Sefirothe]

No, no real bullying as of yet. Setting into roost space at night is entertaining to watch but no one is getting hurt.

I just wish they wouldn’t lay around pooping in the nest boxes or trampling the poop piles to itty bitty pieces on the poop boards.

 

[Ridgerunner]

From the size of your coop and run and number of chickens I think you are doing great. You are close to the minimum space recommended after they are all mature. Integration often requires more space than living together so you have done well.

I have more space and more chickens. Until my immature pullets reach laying age they generally do not mix with the adults during the day or at night. If the young approach the adults they are likely to get pecked so they are usually terrified of them. As long as the chicks can stay away from the adults they get along fine. But if an adult walks to where the chicks are they panic.

There are always exceptions to anything when you deal with living animals. It is not always as bad as I'm saying but that is an exception but usually they don't mingle at all. I provide separate food and water stations so they don't have to mingle. Separate roosts are a great idea.

Will they ever mix?

About the time the pullets start laying they should join the pecking order and be able to mix. Part of the time they may stay in their own cliques but don't worry about that. They can mix if they want to.

 

[Sefirothe]

From the size of your coop and run and number of chickens I think you are doing great. You are close to the minimum space recommended after they are all mature. Integration often requires more space than living together so you have done well.

I have more space and more chickens. Until my immature pullets reach laying age they generally do not mix with the adults during the day or at night. If the young approach the adults they are likely to get pecked so they are usually terrified of them. As long as the chicks can stay away from the adults they get along fine. But if an adult walks to where the chicks are they panic.

There are always exceptions to anything when you deal with living animals. It is not always as bad as I'm saying but that is an exception but usually they don't mingle at all. I provide separate food and water stations so they don't have to mingle. Separate roosts are a great idea.


About the time the pullets start laying they should join the pecking order and be able to mix. Part of the time they may stay in their own cliques but don't worry about that. They can mix if they want to.

Thank you! This is pretty much what I was wondering. The adults are my first batch of chickens and the pullets are my second. So this is all still a learning experience for me.

 

[aart]

Add some clutter/cover and they might come out.
Space is a bit tight.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[ChicNmom]

They should gradually expand their territory as they get more comfortable.