Integrating the flock for winter

[Buster]

I integrated my silkies and the 10 week old chicks today for the winter. I didn't want 6 different pens to care for all winter and wanted most of the birds to be able to free range this winter. So far they are doing well. I now have 37 chickens (including 5 roosters) and 6 ducks free ranging together out there. If I can convince my wife to let me integrate "her" black orp roo (Diesel) and his girls, I'll have them all together for the winter. I think they will just be easier to manage with feed and waterers and free ranging this winter if I do it this way.

 

[FrontPorchIndiana]

I integrated mine. My bantams are having a hard time dealing with the big birds. They were used to their own pecking order and don't like this integration nonsense.

 

[Buster]

LOL my d'uccle is holding up just fine- he just takes his girlfriend and gets away from the big girls. I don't know how the silkie roo is doing. He thought he was hot stuff but I think my huge yard roos will convince him otherwise.

 

[mothergoose1963]

I integrate my waterfowl flocks for winter and use those zip ties in different colors to differentiate birds. I know who belongs to whom by the color on their legs and what offspring belong to what pairs. This would work with flocks of chickens, too--I have the Black Coppers that are breeding now colored with a flourescent orange band on their right leg. Then I will be a be to keep track of their breeding when I have a new generation, or change out a rooster, etc. Anyway, the little bands come in handy is all I was trying to say--I'm just long winded!

 

[Buster]

Quote:
That's a great idea. I may use that when spring comes and I start separating them back into breeding pens again.

 

[tinkarooni]

You guys are just the help I am looking for. I am a chicken newbie. My first batch of 9 Buff Orphingtons are about 32 weeks old. The second batch is 13 weeks old. I moved the youngsters out to the coop about three weeks ago but have kept them in a large pen in the coop but safe. I do let them all out together but there are only four of the youngsters, black astrolorps and the big girls gang up on them.

Should I let them loose to work it o ut...I was thinking about leaving the crate out there for them to hide in if they had to.

Ideas?

 

[lilchick]

tink,
When I first put young ones into coop I leave a carrier for them to dash into... I just take the door off and fill with bedding.
Each night I would make sure they slept in it for warmth until they get old enough to roost with the older chickens..
Right now I have a few and they are roosting on top of carrier!

 

[Buster]

Quote:
I just opened the door between the two pens in mine. The big girls don't like to go in the others' area and the little ones don't like to go in the big ones but they slowly get adjusted and mix. There will always be some squabbling to establish a pecking order, just keep an eye on them so it doesn't get out of hand.

 

[cmom]

Quote:
Good idea. I did them same thing. I gave the younger ones a safe place. The older ones didn't do in. I let them range together and they worked out their pecking order.

 

[pdpatch]

You should let them live side by side for a while so they can at least see each other. This reduces the chance of some of the younger ones getting picked to death.

Have some way for the younger/smaller one to escape the bigger one.

When ever you intergrate groups you can never be sure it will work.

Tom