Integrating chicks and ensuring they get back to the coop at night...?

[ev-chicka]

If you home them to the smaller coop that's where they will return. They will not eventually go to the other coop on their own. They may go there to goof off but not to sleep. You will need to force them in there eventually. Chickens are creatures of habit.

For sure! So habitual! I would “train” some of them to go to the main coop. If I could figure out which ones are cockerels it would make sense to not transition them to the main coop since I will have to rehome them...but I have to wait a while longer to figure that out for sure

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

For sure! So habitual! I would “train” some of them to go to the main coop. If I could figure out which ones are cockerels it would make sense to not transition them to the main coop since I will have to rehome them...but I have to wait a while longer to figure that out for sure

Generally you can tell boys by 5-6 weeks as they will get pink red combs at that age.

 

[ev-chicka]

Generally you can tell boys by 5-6 weeks as they will get pink red combs at that age.

I thought so too but these pea combs have me stumped. I have two olive Eggers who are nearly 6 weeks and still very flat and yellow pea combs. Can faintly make out 3 rows but I think the middle row stands out a little more. Time will tell

 

[Stacyoung13]

I just put 4 more babies (7 weeks) in with my flock. They spent a week in the playpen, (screened off area), (nights in brooder), today I went out and 2 of the 4 had gotten out under the screen and 3 of the older babies (13 weeks or so) had gotten in. (I have about 20+ silkies and polish and Cochin/silkie mix) There was no fussing so I took down one side of the screen. Everything is good so far. The have a little fenced off area that they can get into, with their food and water in there, but the adults and older babies can’t. This gives them a safe place and the adults can’t get to their food. I will be gathering them up and putting them in the coop til they get the idea... last babies took about 4 days. Here’s one of their playpens

Here’s their fenced area

(Last batch of babies)
Good luck with your integration!!!

 

[Peppercorngal]

When I got chicks when my adults were 1 year, I had mine in a separate coop and run for awhile. I started opening the run door and letting them free range all together. At night the "littles" would return to their own coop for a time. Little by little they started to integrate themselves with the main flock, until maybe 4 months later, they were all back in the main coop together again. I don't push it, I don't "train" them. I let them go where they want to go and find they integrate themselves quite nicely! I also believe not to wait to integrate them physically together. The smaller the chicken, the less threat they seem to the grown ups. I now throw my 3 week old chicks in with everyone else and they all seem to get along. I had 3 week olds, 6 week olds, and 8 week olds all roaming around with the adults and had not one issue.

 

[ev-chicka]

When I got chicks when my adults were 1 year, I had mine in a separate coop and run for awhile. I started opening the run door and letting them free range all together. At night the "littles" would return to their own coop for a time. Little by little they started to integrate themselves with the main flock, until maybe 4 months later, they were all back in the main coop together again. I don't push it, I don't "train" them. I let them go where they want to go and find they integrate themselves quite nicely! I also believe not to wait to integrate them physically together. The smaller the chicken, the less threat they seem to the grown ups. I now throw my 3 week old chicks in with everyone else and they all seem to get along. I had 3 week olds, 6 week olds, and 8 week olds all roaming around with the adults and had not one issue.

View attachment 1795375

Thank you! That’s what we’ll end up doing...free range during the day but have their own space for night and see who decides to go where. I guess my next question is, how do you keep the feed seperate and make sure they don’t eat each other’s? My older ladies would probably devour the chicks feed since it would be like and treat...and they live for treats

 

[ev-chicka]

Oops I didn’t mean to post those pics!

 

[ev-chicka]

I just put 4 more babies (7 weeks) in with my flock. They spent a week in the playpen, (screened off area), (nights in brooder), today I went out and 2 of the 4 had gotten out under the screen and 3 of the older babies (13 weeks or so) had gotten in. (I have about 20+ silkies and polish and Cochin/silkie mix) There was no fussing so I took down one side of the screen. Everything is good so far. The have a little fenced off area that they can get into, with their food and water in there, but the adults and older babies can’t. This gives them a safe place and the adults can’t get to their food. I will be gathering them up and putting them in the coop til they get the idea... last babies took about 4 days. Here’s one of their playpens
View attachment 1795357
Here’s their fenced area
View attachment 1795355
(Last batch of babies)
Good luck with your integration!!![/QUOTE

Thanks so much! The photos are helpful

 

[Peppercorngal]

Thank you! That’s what we’ll end up doing...free range during the day but have their own space for night and see who decides to go where. I guess my next question is, how do you keep the feed seperate and make sure they don’t eat each other’s? My older ladies would probably devour the chicks feed since it would be like and treat...and they live for treats

Chick food crumbles, especially the 20%, is fine for layers and roosters, I usually just feed everyone the chick food for the first 3 weeks. Then I switch to "All Flock" feed which is good for all, it does not contain the high calcium which "littles" and roosters don't need. When everyone is laying I go ahead and get some layer feed! Mostly everyone eats the same thing. I think now I'm going to stay with the All Flock feed. Yeah, all chickens live for treats. Today I gave mine some watermelon, they were in heaven! Next month they will get yogurt again! The only thing better than treats is . . . . . Dirt Bathing!

 

[Stacyoung13]

Thank you! That’s what we’ll end up doing...free range during the day but have their own space for night and see who decides to go where. I guess my next question is, how do you keep the feed seperate and make sure they don’t eat each other’s? My older ladies would probably devour the chicks feed since it would be like and treat...and they live for treats

Do the fence thing with their feed and water inside, something that the babies can fit through, but adults can’t.