Integrating littles

[City Farmer Jim]

Question for the GREAT MINDS here in BYC. We are ready to integrate our 13-14 week old pullets. Its been a couple of years since we have done that. Best we remember is that we lock All the hens and pullets in for 2-3-4 days and let all back out...we have the pullets very visible to the rest of the flock and chatting happens daily. 7 bigs and 4 littles.....thank you in advance for your help.

 

[Loving my girls]

I think everyone probably has their own system but here is mine…
1. I keep the babies in a plastic garden play house surrounded with a grassy area and fencing. I keep them there while they become accustomed to me, I am certain of their health and they are getting known to the big girls who can see them all the time.
2. After no less than three weeks and the big girls have stopped strutting their stuff I let out the babies in the morning. Supervised by me for at least three hours.
3. That’s it really- There has never been any problems so far. I expect some bickering but as long as no blood is spilled I leave them to find their own place in their new flock.
4. At the end of the day there can be some confusion about sleeping quarters but after they’ve found somewhere and dozed off I simply pick them up and put them on the perches in the main coop.
5. The next day I dismantle the play house and fencing and store it away for next time.
Hope this helps.