Integrating new birds to existing flock

[cslosberg]

Mitzi - I didn't realize that being on the roost with the others was challenging dominance. I'll just let them be where they want and hope that eventually they'll move up to the roost on their own.

Gullygarden - While they don't technically have to sleep with the others the extra coop we have for them was really temporary quarters as there really isn't room for a nesting box when they are ready to lay which should be by Nov.

Thanks all for the advice. As my DH reminded me of the phrase "ruling the roost" which is playing out to be true in our yard.

 

[ChickDaze]

Put up something that the newbies can sleep on for the time being; it allows separation and comfort. Maybe make it lower than the others? It didn't matter with me when it came to roosting; the older two where six feet in the air already.

 

[bobbieschicks]

I merged my now 7 week olds in with my 11 week olds by doing the slow method. First they were close but not together. Then they shared the run but not the coop. Then they shared the coop through a hardware cloth wall and still shared the run. Finally I moved the babies over to the floor of the main coop after bedtime while they were all groggy. The babies were on the floor for two nights. The third night I checked and they were up on the roost.

I'd let them move up there on their own instead of moving them if I were you.

Also mine are still ruffling feathers but so far no bloodshed.

 

[Haywire]

Well, I waited till after dark and shoved the 3 new pullets in the coop. We'll see if there are any survivors tomorrow.

Ian

 

[Haywire]

So far so good. They stayed in the coop a while after I opened it up this morning and let the others out. Apparently they came out on their own at some point. They are keeping to themselves and not mixing with the rest, but the others aren't hunting them too badly, so it seems to be ok. The one bad thing about them staying away from the rest is that the main group hangs out by the feeders, so the little ones aren't getting any water. Maybe I'll put out a separate bowl for them till they join the group.

Ian

 

[centrarchid]

I have been doing some experimenting over the last year in an effort to get birds to move to another location. This has involved phycially moving birds after dark and at same time they would normally go to roost, removing the roost, changing the roost and simply moving it. The best system I found has birds moving with roost if it is moved incrementally from location to another over several nights. Roost could even be moved during day and they will follow it. Key for success with this system is that birds move themselves to new location themselves. Another system with less control involves disturbing birds when they are roosting a location you do not want them to use. Disturbance needs to be intense enough for them to squawl or squawk. This simulates interaction with predator which promotes moving to another location.

 

[wac]

I put 4 BO 5 mo, old in with 2 Dom. hens and after a few days the 2 older hens had 1 of the bo pined in the corner of run, had all feathers off top of head. We separated them for a couple days. they are back together now but bo are totally buffaloed they won't go out in run with the hens. when all are in coop bo's won't come down off roost and eat and old hens won't let them use nest boxes. About ready to get rid of hens. Will they settle down soon.

 

[cslosberg]

So out of the 4 younger birds one of the BO has moved up to the roost and doesn't seem to be bothered by anyone. Tonight I tried to put one of the SLW up on the roost and the bully moved over and started pecking her head so I moved the SLW back down off the roost.

My other thought is to make the bully sleep in the extra coop for a couple of nights by herself to see if that changes her behavior.

I still mean to put a lower roost in the coop, just haven't gotten to it.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Quote:
When I merged my two sets of young chicks together I let the youngest ones stay on the floor if they wanted to. That way I knew they would move to the roost when it was okay for them. They were moved upon on the roost with the big chicks by the 3rd night and have stayed there. They occupy the left side of the roost and the bigs occupy the right side. Now that babies are getting bigger they no longer have to fight for food - they move right in and take it and the bigs just move out of their way - except of course for the lead roo and pullet. It will work itself out - they will come to an order and things will settle down. The bully is trying to assert her dominance and the babies will learn to stay away from her or let her have her way.

 

[Haywire]

Quote:
This is exactly what happened with mine. I put them in the coop and let them go up on the roost in their own time. Took 3 nights.

Ian