Integrating a cockerel into a flock of mature hens

[islandgirl82]

Not a problem @aart !

Thank you! I did know about there only being white and blue eggs and those with the brown and green coatings - I misplaced the thought on correct terminology. I also knew about the selling ploy and pass that bit of info on every time a friend gets new chicks and tells me they got some americaunas/ameraucanas. My first chicks were sold to me as such and at the time it made no difference to me, I was just happy to have tiny pet dinosaurs and their delicious eggs. I'm sure I'll always keep one or two EEs or OEs in my flock for esthetics but am finally heading in the direction I've wanted to go in for a long time.

 

[islandgirl82]

@Birdydeb How are your new girls doing? Have you begun integrating them yet?

 

[Sylvester017]

I will never understand abandoning animals when people move. I do understand having to rehome but to just leave them...*sigh* I'm glad you've taken them in!

I keep all my birds until they die of natural causes (unless it's really not working out for everyone). Even my 7 yr old hen still gives me 3-4 eggs each week but I also give them the winters off though some will still lay through it and others periodically. Happy hens lay more eggs and I'm sure you'll still get a couple/few years worth of eggs out of them and the satisfaction of giving them a good home.

I will say, this is my second SLW and both have been pretty bossy with their flock mates and I think that's typical of the breed. Sweet girls, they just like to have things their way. They remind me of that stereotypical "mother hen" focused on making sure everyone does what's expected of them but neither of my SLW girls was/is top hen. Just the "hench-hen" (second in command or right around there).

Do with yours what you feel is right, not what everyone tells you you should do. If you can integrate them, great! If not, you can still decide whether you want to just keep them separate or rehome or what ever.

A parallel run between the two rescued Wyans alongside an established flock will be a good way to eventually integrate all into one flock. I'm just thinking if the two rescued hens had one die it would leave the other alone without having been integrated into an established flock. I prefer integration of all birds together rather than isolation. I've tried isolation and it just isn't good. We do our best to re-home unfit personalities into appropriate new homes.

 

[Birdydeb]

@Birdydeb
 How are your new girls doing?  Have you begun integrating them yet? 

I haven't gotten the parallel run built yet because of the heat and a total inability to find help with it. The finding help part has plagued me all summer. The girls are doing well. They really seem happy but I really would like to get them down with the rest of the flock as soon as possible. As Sylvester017 said, I am concerned that if one should die I will have one hen by herself. And that will definitely complicate things. I am getting one egg daily from them and one day I got two. If all goes well this week I can get that run up beside the main run. They really are sweet hens. Really hopeful I can integrate them but even the parallel run will be a step up. Thank you for asking.

Eta: I have really been surprised that they are laying this well. With the upheaval they had and the heat, I didn't expect it.

 

[islandgirl82]

Quote:
Do you free range at all? Could you let the new girls out and maybe put some feed around the main run shortly before they go to roost so they can see each other while you supervise?

I'm not sure what your set up is like but when I had Russell here and I needed a quick way to expand his run, I found the inexpensive garden fencing 3' x 50' at around $25 was sufficient in containing him whilst giving him plenty of room and only took about 10 minutes to set up. Granted, working from home gives me the benefit of being able to hear my flock at all times and ability to respond to any and all distress calls and I did have it set up alongside the main run amidst plenty of small trees and undergrowth for cover. Offering your new girls some time near the main flock, even a quick set up like that can help. Or if you feel comfortable trying to free range everyone together while you supervise to keep the peace and an eye on predators, you may find they end up fitting in sooner rather than later. There's less tension amongst the birds when they're able to free range and I find it to be one of the most important keys to integration because there's plenty of space for everyone to get away from each other when they need to.

 

[aart]

I also have used a section of fencing for a temporary day pen, but use 4 or 6'....put it in a circle with a few garden stakes and it stands pretty secure.
Overlapping one end by a foot or so works as a 'door'. But am also home all day to intervene if necessary.

Woody is hitting on the pullets....some are not cooperating.
He tried one last evening, scattered a beak full of neck feathers which all the hens gobbled up, while the pullet escaped squawking.
Luckily he is not chasing them down and forcing them.

 

[islandgirl82]

I looked for higher fencing but couldn't find any when I really needed it so made do with the 3 ft. I don't think shorter fencing would have worked but by not having a solid landing point along the top, it was enough to contain him.

I found Ichabod nestled on the top roost this morning right next to Head Mistress Mairah. She's been spending all her time with him over the last few days. This is the polar opposite of how she responded to Russell. She's not submitting to him but she does squat for me right in front of him every time I'm nearby. I'm still not seeing him mounting anyone or even trying. He's still not crowing either. I'm eager to hear him. His previous keeper said he'd started but has made no attempts since he's been here.

 

[aart]

I looked for higher fencing but couldn't find any when I really needed it so made do with the 3 ft. I don't think shorter fencing would have worked but by not having a solid landing point along the top, it was enough to contain him.

I found Ichabod nestled on the top roost this morning right next to Head Mistress Mairah. She's been spending all her time with him over the last few days. This is the polar opposite of how she responded to Russell. She's not submitting to him but she does squat for me right in front of him every time I'm nearby. I'm still not seeing him mounting anyone or even trying. He's still not crowing either. I'm eager to hear him. His previous keeper said he'd started but has made no attempts since he's been here.

That's interesting.

I had the 4 & 6' on hand...my garage looks like a fencing store.

 

[islandgirl82]

I find it to be very interesting. I have one hen teaching him to tidbit and after a few days of her responding to him when he mimics her, he's finally stopped running away from her and anyone else who responds. Even Mairah responds to it. I always pet her when she squats for me (and anyone else who does) and he watches with great curiosity. I should also clarify, she will approach me before squatting, it's not just when I happen by her. Whatever her motive is, it is interesting.

I don't have a garage but I sure wish my storage looked like a fencing store!

 

[lazy gardener]

EEs can lay any color, they just carry the blue gene. It's my understanding (someone please correct me if I'm wrong) that if they carry the blue and brown egg genes then they'll lay on the green side and if they have blue and white, they'll lay blue.

That pretty much sums it up. My avatar Jack passes the blue egg gene, but I think he also carries brown, since some of his daughters lay brown eggs. I get all colors from his daughters: blue, aqua, green, olive, cream and brown. So, I'm pleased with his contribution to the gene pool.

That's interesting.

I had the 4 & 6' on hand...my garage looks like a fencing store.

I have fencing all over the place also. As well as lots of scavanged hardware. It makes it easy to at least initiate a project. The one thing I can't seem to keep on hand is hinges. Never have enough hinges!!! My last project (a broody cage in my coop over the pop door) is completed, with one of two doors hanging by zip ties for lack of a pair of hinges in the correct size!