Integrating Pullets into Flock

[McPickle88]

***Edit***
I have added some addition chicken wire inside run to give them separation with food and water. They seem to be much happier!


Good Morning!!! I am trying to integrate my 2 11 weeks old salmon favorelle pullets into my flock this week. They have been out there for a few days now. I have not had to do this in a hot minute so I have forgotten how it works. They other hens are pecking them and they are trying to hide in corners. I am making sure they have food and water and they are sleeping in Coop with them too so they are not out in this cold weather. Anyone have any tips on how to make this easier on them. They seem so scared to be out there. But, I know they have to be out there at some point, I can't have house chickens!

 

[GodLovesU]

Are they still significantly smaller than the other birds?

 

[McPickle88]

Are they still significantly smaller than the other birds?

They are. But, They have out grown their brooder inside and are fully feathered.

 

[azygous]

The time to begin integration is when chicks are a day old. But maybe you can do that next time and integration will be mostly a moot point. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...and-start-raising-your-chicks-outdoors.71995/

The number one rule for introducing any sort of change to a flock is to do it gradually. The adult chickens need to get used to the new pullets as belonging to the flock. This can take a few weeks. So set up a day pen for the pullets in the run where they will be safe with food and water. this gives them all time to get acquainted and adjust.

After about two weeks, let the pullets out with supervision for gradually longer periods until they are all peacefully interacting. There will still be bullying because that's the job description of pullets - to be bullied. But provide plenty of space for the pullets to evade them.

 

[McPickle88]

The time to begin integration is when chicks are a day old. But maybe you can do that next time and integration will be mostly a moot point. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...and-start-raising-your-chicks-outdoors.71995/

The number one rule for introducing any sort of change to a flock is to do it gradually. The adult chickens need to get used to the new pullets as belonging to the flock. This can take a few weeks. So set up a day pen for the pullets in the run where they will be safe with food and water. this gives them all time to get acquainted and adjust.

After about two weeks, let the pullets out with supervision for gradually longer periods until they are all peacefully interacting. There will still be bullying because that's the job description of pullets - to be bullied. But provide plenty of space for the pullets to evade them.

Thank you! I will have to figure out how to get a day pen for them. I don't have anything but I fully enclosed kennel.