DuckDuckSook
Songster
Hello Friends!
So, I am in the process of integrating my four teenage-ish chicks into a flock of 3 adult hens. We started the integration process 10 days ago and I thought I'd share what I did since many folks are posting about integrating chickens.
For reference: My coop is 4x6. My run is 10x10.
My hens are 1 Easter Egger, 1 Australorp, and 1 Buff Orpington. My chicks are: 3 Cinnamon Queens and 1 Easter Egger.
Phase 1: When I started, the four new chickens were 6 weeks old and the older three hens were roughly 4 months old. I first put the chicks into the run within a wire exercise pen/kennel thing. It took up about 1/3 of the run. They could all see each other, but not get to each other. One of the older hens would try to peck/chase the younger ones a little bit through the kennel, but nothing too major and every day it seemed she would do that a little less.
At night, I put them into a separate coop that used to house ducks. We did this routine for a full 7 days. Once it appeared that the older hens were a little less interested and the younger ones were a little less afraid, we moved to phase 2.
Phase 2: I put the 4 chicks into the run before the 3 hens were let out. I let them scope out the new digs. *I had added a lot of clutter to the run to provide them with ample escape options if they were chased and places to hide.* (several natural perches - branches, overturned flowerpot, yard table on its side, small pallet propped against run wall, lattice propped against run wall, small log, old wooden ladder, rubbermaid container on its side) I thought that all these changes would also distract the hens and keep them interested. When I let the hens out, they did go after a few of the chicks here and there but nothing major. No blood drawn and no aggressive charging. In fact, some of the chicks did some sneaky pecking of the older hens, which was surprising. *I sprinkled some scratch grains, fresh grass clippings, hay, and mealworms throughout the run to keep everyone occupied.* At the end of the day, the chicks were still going into their separate coop for the night.
Update: We are 3 days into phase 2 and I think it is going as good as can be expected. I've noticed that the bigger hens have relegated the little ones into a back corner and side of the run. They have access to food, water, grit, perches, and hiding spaces there so its okay. However, whenever the younger chicks venture too far away from that side, the older hens chase them back. No pecking and no mean behaviors, just chasing. Every day so far, it has seemed to be less eventful. Everyone seems pretty happy. I've gone down in the middle of the day to give everyone some fresh watermelon treats and tomatoes to keep everyone hydrated and busy.
Every day, I try to move the food, water, grit, and hidey places a little further out of the chick side by about an inch so that I'm slowly expanding their area. I don't think that the hens have really noticed, but the chicks have been very tentatively exploring a bit further each day. I still plan on locking them up in separate coops for at least another week if not more. I'm just nervous about them being in that smaller space all together all night long until I let them out. I don't know if any of this information will be helpful to anyone, but I thought I'd share as I had read many posts about ideas and suggestions for making this transition go more smoothly. I will post again to share any changes and how it is going after another week.
So, I am in the process of integrating my four teenage-ish chicks into a flock of 3 adult hens. We started the integration process 10 days ago and I thought I'd share what I did since many folks are posting about integrating chickens.
For reference: My coop is 4x6. My run is 10x10.
My hens are 1 Easter Egger, 1 Australorp, and 1 Buff Orpington. My chicks are: 3 Cinnamon Queens and 1 Easter Egger.
Phase 1: When I started, the four new chickens were 6 weeks old and the older three hens were roughly 4 months old. I first put the chicks into the run within a wire exercise pen/kennel thing. It took up about 1/3 of the run. They could all see each other, but not get to each other. One of the older hens would try to peck/chase the younger ones a little bit through the kennel, but nothing too major and every day it seemed she would do that a little less.
At night, I put them into a separate coop that used to house ducks. We did this routine for a full 7 days. Once it appeared that the older hens were a little less interested and the younger ones were a little less afraid, we moved to phase 2.
Phase 2: I put the 4 chicks into the run before the 3 hens were let out. I let them scope out the new digs. *I had added a lot of clutter to the run to provide them with ample escape options if they were chased and places to hide.* (several natural perches - branches, overturned flowerpot, yard table on its side, small pallet propped against run wall, lattice propped against run wall, small log, old wooden ladder, rubbermaid container on its side) I thought that all these changes would also distract the hens and keep them interested. When I let the hens out, they did go after a few of the chicks here and there but nothing major. No blood drawn and no aggressive charging. In fact, some of the chicks did some sneaky pecking of the older hens, which was surprising. *I sprinkled some scratch grains, fresh grass clippings, hay, and mealworms throughout the run to keep everyone occupied.* At the end of the day, the chicks were still going into their separate coop for the night.
Update: We are 3 days into phase 2 and I think it is going as good as can be expected. I've noticed that the bigger hens have relegated the little ones into a back corner and side of the run. They have access to food, water, grit, perches, and hiding spaces there so its okay. However, whenever the younger chicks venture too far away from that side, the older hens chase them back. No pecking and no mean behaviors, just chasing. Every day so far, it has seemed to be less eventful. Everyone seems pretty happy. I've gone down in the middle of the day to give everyone some fresh watermelon treats and tomatoes to keep everyone hydrated and busy.
Every day, I try to move the food, water, grit, and hidey places a little further out of the chick side by about an inch so that I'm slowly expanding their area. I don't think that the hens have really noticed, but the chicks have been very tentatively exploring a bit further each day. I still plan on locking them up in separate coops for at least another week if not more. I'm just nervous about them being in that smaller space all together all night long until I let them out. I don't know if any of this information will be helpful to anyone, but I thought I'd share as I had read many posts about ideas and suggestions for making this transition go more smoothly. I will post again to share any changes and how it is going after another week.
