We have had our Lavender Orps isolated by some chicken wire, along side the older barred rocks in the same coop for about 3 weeks now to get familiar with each other. After returning from vacation, I decided to cut a hole through the wire so the little ones could access both sides of the coop, but escape any rough stuff. I also removed the feeder from one side, leaving only one feeder for all of them.
This morning when I went out to open up the pop door to let the big ones out, I was in for a HUGE surprise. Upon opening the main door, I found 4 LavOrps on the big side of the coop, and 5 BR's on the small side. They had all swapped sides at some point, I presume since sun up. The small side has the nesting boxes and there were a couple of girls checking them out. That was nice.
The BR roo seems to care less about the smaller chicks, unless they are edging in on his treats. Only a couple of the gals are taking issue with them, so I hope we can get them fully integrated by the end of the week end. I'd love to have them free ranging together.
This morning when I went out to open up the pop door to let the big ones out, I was in for a HUGE surprise. Upon opening the main door, I found 4 LavOrps on the big side of the coop, and 5 BR's on the small side. They had all swapped sides at some point, I presume since sun up. The small side has the nesting boxes and there were a couple of girls checking them out. That was nice.
The BR roo seems to care less about the smaller chicks, unless they are edging in on his treats. Only a couple of the gals are taking issue with them, so I hope we can get them fully integrated by the end of the week end. I'd love to have them free ranging together.
