Integrating chicks into flock at 4 weeks old.

[blackdog043]

Nice job on the wall!

When I integrate, I make a temporary lower roost. They gradually make their way up with the big girls, it takes 2 - 3 weeks before they start. Once they're all using the main roost, I take the temporary one down. Also once they are not using the heat anymore, I take the brooder down.

 

[Ted Brown]

@blackdog043

The picture in my post above is actually the wall that @aart built, I included it to give context to what I was aiming to achieve; when I posted I was in the midst of building mine, it is done but not nearly as "bad-ass" as aart's. I will be using it for only a few (?) weeks while I go through the integration process so I wanted it done rather than "pretty". If I hatch/acquire more chicks next year I will rebuild this time using rough cut 1" by 6" pine - will be less expensive and better all round. Pictures below show the installed wall with chicks and a few of the pullets; last picture is the coop at night.



Thank you for the tip re temporary roost, I have included two in their segregated area but will now also add one above the drop board but at a height that makes it easy for them to access.

Your picture also is very helpful, my chicks are at least the same size and yours appear to be already integrated; gives me great hope that a week from now I can open doors and begin pullet/chick integration.

 

[bruceha2000]

I see no reason to rebuild what you have given how short a time it will be in use, why spend more money?

I have about 35' of roosts at 4' high and an 8' long one at 2 feet. At NO TIME in the 5 batches of chicks I've gotten since 2012 has a bird spent a single night on the 2' high roost.

 

[Ted Brown]

I see no reason to rebuild what you have given how short a time it will be in use, why spend more money?

I have about 35' of roosts at 4' high and an 8' long one at 2 feet. At NO TIME in the 5 batches of chicks I've gotten since 2012 has a bird spent a single night on the 2' high roost.

Reason is simply my own sense of what things should be. You will note I said "If I acquire/hatch more..." and cost is nothing (I have wood around all the time) but my labour and time, given I am an old fart, not worth much of nothing. Current wall will come out in short order regardless.

Very interesting comment on roosts... hoping my experience is the same.

Thank you!

 

[bruceha2000]

Well we old farts do need projects to keep us going!

 

[blackdog043]

I went back and reread your post, I missed that it was aarts. I thought you made the exact same wall. Yours will do the same job! I've changed my brooder set up the past 2 years and I'm thinking of changing it again, when I get chicks in the spring. So I know what you mean about redoing yours. That night picture of your coop is great, it really shows off the inside.

my chicks are at least the same size and yours appear to be already integrated; gives me great hope that a week from now I can open doors and begin pullet/chick integration.

The chick picture in post #251 was from last spring, they were 4 weeks old. I started integration at 2 weeks. At 4 weeks they weren't using the heating pad anymore so I took the brooder down.

You should be fine starting integration after a week. When they first come out, they will probably stay close to the door to get back in quick. You may have to show a few of them how to get out the doors, to get them started. They will get braver day by day and venture further. Make sure you have things inside the coop that only the chicks can scoot behind and get out the other side, to get away from any pecking. Pieces of plywood work well, leaned up against a wall. Make sure it is secure and won't fall down. A small pallet raised up on blocks works well also, so they can run underneath to get away. Don't worry about chicks getting pecked, it's a natural thing, as long as there is no blood drawn. The pecking I usually see, is a big girl letting the chick know to get out of the way.

 

[Ted Brown]

...The chick picture in post #251 was from last spring, they were 4 weeks old. I started integration at 2 weeks. At 4 weeks they weren't using the heating pad anymore so I took the brooder down.

... Don't worry about chicks getting pecked, it's a natural thing, as long as there is no blood drawn. The pecking I usually see, is a big girl letting the chick know to get out of the way.

I have already started to make things for them to run under. One of the best is a wooden inverted "V", I put the table saw on an angle and cut two parallel groves in a 2" by 3", slipped 1/4' plywood in. I may have to stabilize it as the pullets may knock it over. I will keep thinking about additional "hidey holes" as I see them begin to mingle.

My sister will be the one to anguish over the natural order. She and BIL have been here for two months but will leave on November 5th. I wanted the chicks in the coop before she left so she could see the integration process and satisfy herself that things were ok. She was very happy yesterday,we will see what the next days bring. They have provided enormous help and support!

 

[aart]

I've changed my brooder set up the past 2 years

I think I tweaked that wall section 3-4 times before I was satisfied with it...may do it again, sees stuff is never done, always room for improvement either by necessity or desire.

I am curious:

1. how long this may take;

I think I outlined how long it took in the article.
My basics are: out into coop one week after hatch, then open the tiny doors at 3-4 weeks.
But it's kind of a play it by ear...and eye....thing.

Here's @Ted Brown's brooder build thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/brooder-construction-in-a-new-woods-kd-coop.1335997/

 

[bruceha2000]

My sister will be the one to anguish over the natural order. She and BIL have been here for two months but will leave on November 5th. I wanted the chicks in the coop before she left so she could see the integration process and satisfy herself that things were ok. She was very happy yesterday,we will see what the next days bring. They have provided enormous help and support!

I bet she will like seeing them running around with more space!!

 

[Ted Brown]

I bet she will like seeing them running around with more space!!

She most certainly will; more space will happen sometime next week. I am starting the 1st section of run (under the coop) today, once that is enclosed we will start letting the pullets go outside during the day and chicks out into the bigger coop space. Current brooder space is 10'L by 32"W by 20"H so not horrible... the coop space of 10' by 16' better for sure.