integrating question?

[Hennyhandler]

This is my first day and first time of integrating my chickens. It sure is interesting. From all I have read mine or doing real good. Just a lot of pecking and running them around No wounds or big amounts of blood drawn. My question is is that the new chickens keep running into the coop and into the corner. The older chickens will come in there and peck at them but I was just wondering if I should make them stay out in the run more so that they get that established as well and get used to being out there. I can only stay watching them today and tomorrow so I want to get them as comfortable as possible. Any info would be appreciated.

Also, I put layer and grower/finisher out there but they eat the one they're not supposed to. If I put out oyster shell all the time do you think this will work until 4 weeks when the others need to be on layer as well?

 

[chookchick]

I wouldn't "push" the chickens into the pen, let them work it out on their own time. But make sure they have access to food and water if they are in the coop. If they are smaller you can section off an area with a small opening, so they can get away from the others. Good luck!

ETA--that's exactly what I did when one of my hens started laying very young, But if they are close to laying age, it is fine for them to have layer food.

 

[mbleily]

I just got through integrating 9 teens in with the old hens. I built a pen for the teens inside the hen house. They can see and be seen but the hens couldn't get at them. I had them in that area for about 4 weeks. I waited until they were almost a big as the hens. Then I opened the pen big enough for them to get out and the hens couldn't get in to there pen. I pushed each one out of the hole and sat in the yard watching for a hour. They were really excited and scared at the same time. It was fun to watch. Mostly the hens ignored them. I put the teens back in their house. And they were happy to go back. I did this for about two weeks. Watching closely. They chicks began to be more adventureous each day and the old hens would give them a peck or two if they got too close or get to flying around too much just to show them who was boss. Finally I left the opening open for them and took out the water and food from their pen. I still have the pen in there and they go in to roost at nite. I had a knee operation or the pen would have been taken down by now. I will also take their roosting area down so they will have to roost with the older ones. There are three roosters in this new group. So I have been handling them alot so they will be tame. I have had my fill of obnoxious roosters.......