Integrating new 6 week old flock members?

[bantambliss]

I am getting bantam chicks in July, and already have 4 bantam Cochins, but I am not sure how happy they would be with strangers, there are several strategies of integrating young (6 week) birds into your flock, but I've already had several broody bullying problems. I have a small yard, and am looking for the quickest option so I can integrate them into the space with the other birds... thanks!
these are pics of my 4 current Cochins.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Can you post a photo of your coop and as much of the run as possible (without your family, so we can see what the space itself looks like)?

Seems to be 2 schools of thought with integration, either early (so the chicks are still little when joining the adults) or waiting until they're almost as big as the adults. Obviously "early" is going to get you results faster, but you need to set up with that in mind in order to do it.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I waited until my littles were almost adult size before putting them in with the big birds. I also had them in a separate enclosure which shared a fence with the big birds for almost two months so that the introduction went smoothly. Good luck!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Knowing what you have to work with would really help. In Louisville in July heat will be your enemy, won't have to worry about cold once they feather out.

Photos of the coop and run, including inside of the coop could really help. Cute kids but knowing what you have to work with instead of who you can out to work is what's needed here. Size in feet of the coop and the run could really help. Layout of the roosts, length and orientation to the nests, could be important information.

To me the fastest and easiest is to raise the chicks with the flock. Put your brooder in the coop or in the run (remember predator protection) with wire so they can see each other. I do that and just open the brooder door at 5 weeks, no issues. But I have a big coop with a special juvenile roost. I have enough room outside that they can stay a long way away form each other. To me, how much room you have is really important and you say you don't have much. Can you build more? That might help with the broody bullying you mentioned.

 

[bantambliss]

I waited until my littles were almost adult size before putting them in with the big birds. I also had them in a separate enclosure which shared a fence with the big birds for almost two months so that the introduction went smoothly. Good luck!

Thank you for the advice!

 

[bantambliss]

Can you post a photo of your coop and as much of the run as possible (without your family, so we can see what the space itself looks like)?

Seems to be 2 schools of thought with integration, either early (so the chicks are still little when joining the adults) or waiting until they're almost as big as the adults. Obviously "early" is going to get you results faster, but you need to set up with that in mind in order to do it.

here are some photos: BTW I frequently let them out to free range when I am near, and I built a makeshift run, by we are hoping to build a mobile run soon...

 

[bantambliss]

Knowing what you have to work with would really help. In Louisville in July heat will be your enemy, won't have to worry about cold once they feather out.

Photos of the coop and run, including inside of the coop could really help. Cute kids but knowing what you have to work with instead of who you can out to work is what's needed here. Size in feet of the coop and the run could really help. Layout of the roosts, length and orientation to the nests, could be important information.

To me the fastest and easiest is to raise the chicks with the flock. Put your brooder in the coop or in the run (remember predator protection) with wire so they can see each other. I do that and just open the brooder door at 5 weeks, no issues. But I have a big coop with a special juvenile roost. I have enough room outside that they can stay a long way away form each other. To me, how much room you have is really important and you say you don't have much. Can you build more? That might help with the broody bullying you mentioned.

I am in louisville the run attached to the coop is most likely a 7 by 8, the coop is a 6 by 3 and there are two roosts, probably about 3 feet each

 

[Ridgerunner]

4 chicks, 4 adults, all bantam. Even for bantams that space is small for eight adult birds. It is really tight for integration. Occasionally allowing them out doesn't really count though I'm sure they enjoy their outings, they need the space to be available when they need it. I think you are headed for problems, especially during integration.

My suggestion is to build a second coop. If it were me I'd build it 4' x 8' and design it to become my man coop with nests and everything, but as a minimum a 4x4 with roosts. More of a shelter. I'd include a new section of run, abutting that other run so they can see each other.

Since most new materials come in 4' and 8' dimensions, if you are buying new a 4x8 should not cost much more than a 3x6 though you will not have the cut-offs to build nests and such. If you have available building materials in different dimensions by all means use those.

You said your goal was to get integration over with as fast as you can. House the chicks for about a month in that new coop and run section where the adults can see them. Then give them access to each other. Maybe initially cut a hole in the fence between them big enough for the chicks but too small for the adults. That's the safe haven/panic room concept. If the chicks go in with the adults and get threatened they can run to safety. After you are confident all is well, remove the barrier and let them all mingle.

After that I'd leave them alone. Let them sleep where they want to, they will work that out. Eventually they will merge into one flock but until then they should be OK.

I can't guarantee this will work for you. It does for me but I have a lot more room than you do. That might make a big difference.

 

[bantambliss]

Thank you soooo much! What’s hilarious is what you described is exactly what I told my parents... exactly! They said we needed to use old materials, but we don’t have much... they said maybe we should just make a large run, and a tiny mobile coop. But your idea is exactly what I suggested,I just thought that the coop was a bit too cramped, and maybe I was being paranoid... but now I think your right and I should have gone with my first plan... thanks!!!

 

[bantambliss]

And they are only in their small run if it is morning, night, or raining...