INTEGRATING UPDATE! Further advice needed on integrating flock

[Browniethechicken]

Well, here we are and the day has come. I’ve spent many many hours integrating my now six week old chicks with my now 19 week old pullets using the See no touch method. Today, I removed the barrier and they were in the run together. I noticed that the big girls pecked at them and the chicks stayed huddled in a corner mostly. The big girls went up into the coop when the sun went down and my chickens were huddled waiting for me to grab them by the front door. I am seeking advice on what to do at night? Tonight, I have them inside with me. But tomorrow I want to put them in the coop with the big ladies. It’s getting cold here in Mass so I’m not sure if I should just leave the chicks, who are fully feathered, out in the Run to figure it out on their own or whether I should put them in the coop myself? Also, I have an automated coop
Door. Do you think I should put them in the coop with the big girls? And do you think I should be there when the sun comes up to make sure they get out safely? What else should I consider? I love my chicks and want no injuries.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If you have space for it, I put a cage inside the coop and manually place the chicks inside. Repeat nightly until the chicks go in on their own. For me it usually only takes a few days to get them to home to the coop this way.

Two days later:

Caveat is I don't proceed to this step until the chicks are pretty close to being integrated with the flock in the run, as this partially relies on them wanting to join the older birds inside. Also there's the safety consideration of not wanting to have the chicks locked in with older birds until I know they're all safely interacting outside (where there's more space for them to escape if they're being bullied).

 

[Browniethechicken]

If you have space for it, I put a cage inside the coop and manually place the chicks inside. Repeat nightly until the chicks go in on their own. For me it usually only takes a few days to get them to home to the coop this way.

View attachment 3289674

Two days later:
View attachment 3289675

Caveat is I don't proceed to this step until the chicks are pretty close to being integrated with the flock in the run, as this partially relies on them wanting to join the older birds inside. Also there's the safety consideration of not wanting to have the chicks locked in with older birds until I know they're all safely interacting outside (where there's more space for them to escape if they're being bullied).

Yes, you have articulated exactly my concerns. Does safely interacting look like some pecking from the older ladies and a little bit of chasing if they get close? Otherwise, the integration looks good! I even had them eating the same food out of a dish together for brief moments! I also set up some clutter for hiding spots.

Side question: what is the black paint on the wood in your coop?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Yes, you have articulated exactly my concerns. Does safely interacting look like some pecking from the older ladies and a little bit of chasing if they get close? Otherwise, the integration looks good! I even had them eating the same food out of a dish together for brief moments! I also set up some clutter for hiding spots.

Yes. A little pecking/chasing is normal but once the chicks are far away enough/behind hiding spots the older bird should break off.

I also look for them to share some food since that's usually a point of contention for the older birds, as some resource guarding is pretty common.

Side question: what is the black paint on the wood in your coop?

Black Jack 57, which is a rubberized waterproofing sealant to protect the wood.