Integrating chickens

[whispurr]

I have some 2 month old chicks that are ready to integrate. The problem is, these chicks (pullets?) stay huddled in the corner of their space. I've tried for two days to get them to come out by leaving their door open but they just stay huddled and the big girls eat their food and drink their water until it's gone. How can I get these girls to come out? I tried setting one out of their cage and she immediately ran back to the huddle. Should I force them out? I've never actually seen them other than huddled.

 

[DobieLover]

Please post pictures of how you have them all setup.

 

[whispurr]

Please post pictures of how you have them all setup.

 

[whispurr]

17 Chicks won't have to be in there. I have another one just like that that I keep my food and bedding in. I can move those up to the shelf and put chicks in there too.

 

[DobieLover]

I would lock out the original flock and then remove the pullets from their little space and let them explore the coop by themselves for several hours to get comfortable. Then open the pop door and let them leave or the originals back in to intermingle. Stay to observe.
Do you have an attached run or do they free range?

 

[whispurr]

I would lock out the original flock and then remove the pullets from their little space and let them explore the coop by themselves for several hours to get comfortable. Then open the pop door and let them leave or the originals back in to intermingle. Stay to observe.
Do you have an attached run or do they free range?

Both. They have the run and I let them out to free range.

 

[whispurr]

I would lock out the original flock and then remove the pullets from their little space and let them explore the coop by themselves for several hours to get comfortable. Then open the pop door and let them leave or the originals back in to intermingle. Stay to observe.
Do you have an attached run or do they free range?

We're kinds of doing that now. Big chickens are out wandering around and eating bugs and I left their door open. They did step out about a foot when I was taking these pics but they scratched around then went back in. I'll try making a treats trail to lure them out.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

We're kinds of doing that now. Big chickens are out wandering around and eating bugs and I left their door open. They did step out about a foot when I was taking these pics but they scratched around then went back in. I'll try making a treats trail to lure them out.

The last set of chicks I integrated I called "coop mongers" because they wouldn't leave the coop, it took about 2 weeks before they finally started exploring. It's a big scary world out there Sometimes it just takes a little while, all my integrations have been different.

 

[aart]

I have some 2 month old chicks that are ready to integrate. The problem is, these chicks (pullets?) stay huddled in the corner of their space. I've tried for two days to get them to come out by leaving their door open but they just stay huddled and the big girls eat their food and drink their water until it's gone. How can I get these girls to come out? I tried setting one out of their cage and she immediately ran back to the huddle. Should I force them out? I've never actually seen them other than huddled.

How long had they been in that area before you opened the door?

I like to integrate younger using tiny door access:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

 

[whispurr]

How long had they been in that area before you opened the door?

I like to integrate younger using tiny door access:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articals/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/