Integrating pullets to adult hens

[Thomaswgordon]

We have 4 adult hens- just over 2 years old. They mostly stay in the attached 10x10 run during the day with occasional free range. We have 4 more pullets that are 8 weeks old, they’ve been separated in the coop for the last 2 weeks. They have been able to see the older hens. Yesterday we removed the barrier in the coop and when the pullets would enter the run they were immediately chased and pecked at-scaring them back into the coop.

This is our first time integrating, is there a way to make this easier or more successful or should we just let it happen naturally? I’m assuming there will be slight bullying and establishing pecking order. We have kept their food and water in the coop for now because they’re not really leaving it.

 

[Ridgerunner]

That sounds pretty normal. Until my pullets reach laying age I have two different flocks. The young ones avoid the adults until they reach laying age, then they are accepted into the pecking order. Until then my pullets avoid the adults as they are likely to get pecked or worse if they invade the adults personal space. With four hens in a 10 x 10 run it is hard for a pullet to be out there and not invade a hen's personal space so they stay in the coop out of the way. My hens do not go out of their way to attack the young ones as long as they don't invade their personal space. Sounds like yours aren't either. That's good, some people do have that problem.

I have a lot more room than you do so all of mine can be outside and still avoid each other. There have been times when young ones were in the coop when a hen went in to lay her egg. Mine ignore the chicks when they do that, hopefully yours will too.

Having separate food and water stations is a great idea. That way the young ones can eat and drink without getting bullied and chased by the adults.

There are risks when integrating and space is that tight. I wish you luck.

 

[Thomaswgordon]

That sounds pretty normal. Until my pullets reach laying age I have two different flocks. The young ones avoid the adults until they reach laying age, then they are accepted into the pecking order. Until then my pullets avoid the adults as they are likely to get pecked or worse if they invade the adults personal space. With four hens in a 10 x 10 run it is hard for a pullet to be out there and not invade a hen's personal space so they stay in the coop out of the way. My hens do not go out of their way to attack the young ones as long as they don't invade their personal space. Sounds like yours aren't either. That's good, some people do have that problem.

I have a lot more room than you do so all of mine can be outside and still avoid each other. There have been times when young ones were in the coop when a hen went in to lay her egg. Mine ignore the chicks when they do that, hopefully yours will too.

Having separate food and water stations is a great idea. That way the young ones can eat and drink without getting bullied and chased by the adults.

There are risks when integrating and space is that tight. I wish you luck.

Thanks for the info! I’m hoping it’ll get less aggressive as time goes on. We have one RIR that did go into the coop to peck a couple times but for the most part was only chasing in the run.

 

[rural mouse]

My flock is coop and free range, no run. When I integrate babies (I do from day 1 in the coop), the adults do NOT let the babies out of the coop for awhile. They actually are protecting the babies until 1. The babies know the warning calls and 2. The weather is warm enough to not be an issue for the babies. The adults pushing the babies back into the coop may very well be similar.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Some photos of your set up would help. 10x10 is a little snug for integration with 4 adults and 4 chicks but just as important is how the space is laid out. Having multiple feeders, having clutter: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/page-6#post-25037140 to break up line of sight and maybe provide different levels of access, those can help give the chicks more hiding spots and protection when they do venture out.