Integration Issue

[Creteloc]

Our integration area is much bigger and 'neutral' territory. We use a cornered section of our yard that's a triangle with the longest side being 20 ft long. We use that flexible green fence stuff to section it off. That doesn't work though. The pullets get a running start and slam into it, trying to get through the little holes in it.

I have a calm hen in with the chicks right now. I'm thinking about leaving it at that for a while and giving everyone a brief break. I am bringing a box home from work to give the chicks a hiding spot. I am also working on a roost up high in the run. The pullets can fly a lot higher than the hens, so it'll give them another out.

The pullets are on the right and the nicer hen is on the left. This is the temporary run for integration only. The box was used at one point for them to go into but they've outgrown it. This is the only time I've seen the pullets not in a corner with their heads sticking out of the run.

This is the big run that's attached to the coop. My three grouchy Bovans think we have treats for them heh. When we're home, they get out of the run and free-range our .32 acre property.

Long shot of the coop and two runs.

 

[Ridgerunner]

When we're home, they get out of the run and free-range our .32 acre property.

My thought would be to let them all out to free range at the same time an see what happens. I think there is a pretty good chance the older ones will leave them alone. If that works let them return to wherever they want to sleep for a couple of weeks and then try to put them together in a smaller area.

 

[Mrs. K]

Another trick is to make a hideout that the littles can get into, and the bigger birds cannot. A pallet up on bricks, or a fence just slightly off the ground. Can you remove the floor of the crate? Then prop it up on bricks?

This allows the birds to work this out on their own terms. Not human terms. The chicks can explore when they want, and when it gets to be too much, they can retreat on their own.

Mrs K