Integration completion question

[ChicksofHeaven]

Hi! I have integrated two new pullets with my two RIR hens by putting the pullets in the lower part (caged area of TSC coop— the coop is in a building enclosure) while the hens go in the hen house/roosting area. They free range together ish during the day. Now one pullet is laying, the other is slow growing her comb and her waddle (different breed, bantam vs BJG) and it’s getting cooler so I want them to roost in the hen house with the hens. The layer had laid in the nesting boxes upstairs, but she won’t go there at night.

When I go in at night, the pullets are sleeping on a shelf, but get up when they see me to go into the lower cage. I’ve tried closing the cage first to try to get them in the hen house, but they won’t! ( I’ve had them about 4-5 weeks)
I have scooped up the bantam and put her in the roosting house, but the BJG won’t be scooped up/touched, so I’m walking her around the coop and she won’t go in. So the bantam comes down and joins her, and I give up and put them in the lower.

Any tips to get them to go in the hen house/roosting house? It’s starting to cool off and they better build their new habit now.

I’ve modified the coop with an automatic door on the side , there is still a sliding door from the hen house to the caged area and I’m thinking about building another ramp so they could go in that way after they are caged below. Leaving it open while it’s still warmer and hope they figure it out.

Some pics of coop in various stages for reference.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Unfortunately, it might take a few days of placing them in the hen house and shutting the door. Chickens are very much creates of habit, so you'd effectively be creating a new habit for them.

Also, just to cover your bases, are you confident there's no bullying going on in the coop at night? That could also explain why they're leery of going inside.

 

[ChicksofHeaven]

Unfortunately, it might take a few days of placing them in the hen house and shutting the door. Chickens are very much creates of habit, so you'd effectively be creating a new habit for them.

Also, just to cover your bases, are you confident there's no bullying going on in the coop at night? That could also explain why they're leery of going inside.

I don’t know what goes on at night.
There is still a little bullying in the enclosure during the day.

I know when I integrated the RIRs with my one hen at the time she would knock them off the roost but they eventually figured it out.

I can’t scoop up the BJG, she’s a runner.
Would it help if I just put the bantam in with the hens and the BJG would catch on after a few nights?

 

[thecatumbrella]

I don’t know what goes on at night.
There is still a little bullying in the enclosure during the day.

I know when I integrated the RIRs with my one hen at the time she would knock them off the roost but they eventually figured it out.

I can’t scoop up the BJG, she’s a runner.
Would it help if I just put the bantam in with the hens and the BJG would catch on after a few nights?

If there's bullying in the enclosure, I'd feel reasonably confident that there's bullying in the coop as well. Tighter spaces tend to amplify any problems. Coops that are undersized really only work for birds that get along (guess how I know ).

Is there any chance you can upgrade to a larger coop for everyone? Just the shock factor alone of getting a new place to sleep might help with your issue. If you try putting in one bird and not the other, it's possible she'll get the hint. It's just as likely she'll resign to sleeping outdoors. Can't hurt to try though.

Hopefully someone else has better suggestions. Integration is really challenging, for sure, especially with the coop.

 

[Ridgerunner]

One way to catch a chicken that does not want to be caught is to wait until it is dark and they've settled down for the night. Use as little light as possible. If that area is lit up at night by street lights or security lights that does not work very well. Maybe use a fish net to catch them.

The way I train mine to sleep in the coop when they do not want to is to catch them after dark and lock them in the coop. If it is dark enough the other chickens will not bother them until daylight. (There is that question again, how dark is it out there?) I'm out there at daybreak to see how they are getting along. My coop is big enough that they can separate from each other, your coop is not. I generally do not have a problem but you could. Once I'm convinced there is not a problem I no longer go out there at daybreak to open the pop door and let them out. Until I'm convinced I'm out there early every morning.

Once they start laying the older hens usually accept them into the pecking order. They may have it sort out exactly where they stand in the pecking order but they usually do that fairly quickly. Not sure how that will work out with one of yours laying and one not.

To a certain extent I think it is a matter of time as your pullets mature. The size if your coop does not help.

Good luck!

 

[Mrs. K]

Is the orange coop the one you are wanting 4 birds in? It is probably too small.

But as they are in a larger building, I would just put in a roost in that space. Often times people have misconceptions about keeping chickens warm. Thinking they have to huddle together in a small space to keep the area heated. And this backfires, because what happens in those small spaces is moisture collects and damp chickens are cold chickens.

Instead, think of a football field, everyone in a thick coat. Thing is, your coat does noting to warm up the person next to you. People often huddle together, but that is not to share warmth, but rather to block the wind. By blocking the wind, we are warmer. If your chickens are in a building so that the prevailing wind is blocked, they will be warm.

The second thing to imagine, is being in a car with several people with the engine shut off in the cold. Almost immediately, the window begin to fog up. Things become damp very fast, very damp. That is what happens when you put a group of chickens in a small coup. They are nearly impossible to ventilate adequately and moisture builds up.

It took me years to figure this out. But really, what you want for healthy warm chickens is protection from the prevailing wind, space of at least 12-15 inches above their heads, and the roosts away from the walls. This keeps their moisture from their breath and poop from collecting on the roof and walls and raining back down on them. (Although I do admit I have a rooster that does not follow this idea, he leans right up against the wall!) But the rest of my flock does not. This prevents moisture from collecting on them, and drastically reduces frostbite.

It is what it means to have good ventilation out of a draft. Each chicken will keep themselves warm, if protected from the wind. So I would recommend just closing up that orange coop completely, adding roosts in the big building. And if they are still squabbling a bit, or even if they are not, add a lot more clutter, so that birds can get out of reach or sight if they need too. Roosts, platforms, ladders, saw horses, pallets.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/page-6#post-25037140

Mrs K

 

[ChicksofHeaven]

If there's bullying in the enclosure, I'd feel reasonably confident that there's bullying in the coop as well. Tighter spaces tend to amplify any problems. Coops that are undersized really only work for birds that get along (guess how I know ).

Is there any chance you can upgrade to a larger coop for everyone? Just the shock factor alone of getting a new place to sleep might help with your issue. If you try putting in one bird and not the other, it's possible she'll get the hint. It's just as likely she'll resign to sleeping outdoors. Can't hurt to try though.

Hopefully someone else has better suggestions. Integration is really challenging, for sure, especially with the coop you have.

 

[ChicksofHeaven]

Thank you. This is what we have. I’ve had three hens in there the past winter and they were fine.
I know four is pushing it, but I could not send one new bird in there solo.

 

[ChicksofHeaven]

Is the orange coop the one you are wanting 4 birds in? It is probably too small.

But as they are in a larger building, I would just put in a roost in that space. Often times people have misconceptions about keeping chickens warm. Thinking they have to huddle together in a small space to keep the area heated. And this backfires, because what happens in those small spaces is moisture collects and damp chickens are cold chickens.

Instead, think of a football field, everyone in a thick coat. Thing is, your coat does noting to warm up the person next to you. People often huddle together, but that is not to share warmth, but rather to block the wind. By blocking the wind, we are warmer. If your chickens are in a building so that the prevailing wind is blocked, they will be warm.

The second thing to imagine, is being in a car with several people with the engine shut off in the cold. Almost immediately, the window begin to fog up. Things become damp very fast, very damp. That is what happens when you put a group of chickens in a small coup. They are nearly impossible to ventilate adequately and moisture builds up.

It took me years to figure this out. But really, what you want for healthy warm chickens is protection from the prevailing wind, space of at least 12-15 inches above their heads, and the roosts away from the walls. This keeps their moisture from their breath and poop from collecting on the roof and walls and raining back down on them. (Although I do admit I have a rooster that does not follow this idea, he leans right up against the wall!) But the rest of my flock does not. This prevents moisture from collecting on them, and drastically reduces frostbite.

It is what it means to have good ventilation out of a draft. Each chicken will keep themselves warm, if protected from the wind. So I would recommend just closing up that orange coop completely, adding roosts in the big building. And if they are still squabbling a bit, or even if they are not, add a lot more clutter, so that birds can get out of reach or sight if they need too. Roosts, platforms, ladders, saw horses, pallets.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/page-6#post-25037140

Mrs K

Yes it’s probably too small. The new girls seem to want to roost outside the hen house, but they choose to sit on a shelf despite the roost that is in there. Plus, they wouldn’t be totally safe from predators but so far so good.
I didn’t ask about winter warmth and ventilation, but I appreciate your thorough answer.
If the chickens want to build an expansion, I won’t stop them! But this will have to do this winter!

Chickens know how to work it out… I haven’t seen feather shed or bloodshed yet. They are just like high school kids who bully underclassmen.