Integrating the Splits -- Documenting the Process

[3KillerBs]

Here they are enjoying their freedom from the top of their mini-run.

They are not mingling with the Ladies but I haven't seen any aggression so I think it's going well.

DH reported that a couple had a squabble and one flew out and had to be captured. I suppose I have to expect a few flights and escapes at this age until they get big enough to be less agile on their wings.

 

[aart]

I suppose I have to expect a few flights and escapes at this age until they get big enough to be less agile on their wings.

The brooder gives them a real leg up.

 

[3KillerBs]

The brooder gives them a real leg up.

Yes.

There are several structures in the run that can be used as launching platforms. I'm anticipating removing the mini-run portion of their housing over the weekend and just leaving them with their dog-crate coop to sleep in.

 

[3KillerBs]

No new photos, my knee is giving me trouble so my 15yo is climbing the hill to take care of the flock for me, but I can see from the window that the Ladies and the Splits are mingling without trouble.

I'll probably leave the mini-run in place for another week just to be certain that the Ladies aren't able to keep the Splits from the feeder.

 

[3KillerBs]

Photos! We had treats -- corn cobs and cantaloupe rinds. The splits were respectful of the Ladies' claim to the best but I put out enough piles that everyone got some.

At 7 weeks one set of budding wattles *might* be brighter than the others. Or maybe not.

The two groups aren't really interacting, which I consider good.

 

[3KillerBs]

At this point there is very little to report. No drama, just the Splits avoiding the Ladies and the Ladies laying claim to all the best treats.

I'm hoping that the Ladies will teach the Splits to use the nipple waterers.

I'll probably take the mini-run out -- or at least move it and stick another scrap of metal on it to make a feeder-shelter for the second feeding station -- Wednesday when I'm off work.

 

[3KillerBs]

And on their 7th day of freedom they have surprised me.

I was walking past the run to fetch chick feed for the Ideal Dozen and found these bold explorers considering entering The Ladies' coop.

I'm surprised that The Ladies allowed it.

 

[3KillerBs]

Apparently saying that I had nothing to report was seriously premature.

Here they are exploring the coop with Teriyaki and Chipotle in the nest boxes.

 

[3KillerBs]

And today I found Chipotle, the California White who is the slimmest of the adults, inside the Splits' mini-run checking out their feeder. I suppose it's only fair since they were in the coop while she was in the nest box yesterday.

When I'm off on Wednesday I'll pull the mini-run away from the dog crate and consider integration as complete as it can get before the new coop is complete and they can all move in together.

 

[Sally PB]

Sounds like it is going very well!