Integration panick

[ChickenGirl555]

It's really rather confusing (and hard to help) to have 2 threads (started 3 hours apart)going on the same issue.

I’m sorry, I was just a little worried and panicking because I didn’t want to screw up and end up with a dead chick.

 

[Mrs. K]

The dog pen, and cardboard box would be a good idea. Put the cardboard box in the dog pen if it will fit, or attach it to the dog pen. This would be a VERY GOOD IDEA. You could get the birds out of the house immediately and set them up insight of the birds but out of reach. Leave them in this set up for two weeks. Taking the box into the coop at night. It needs to be of good size, like 2 x 3 feet box. Do not feed them in the box, but rather outside in the dog pen.

Some people have had good luck, putting the little chicks feedbowl on inside the pen, and the adult feed along side of it outside the fence, then they get used to eating together.

A lot of people do integration this way, this may be your best bet. Inside the run, the dog crate (size?) with a heavy duty box either attached to the gate of the crate, or inside the crate for day time protection from the wind. Do make sure it is secure. Using thick rubber band (hardware store) with hooks on each end, could easily attach it. At night after the old biddies have gone to bed, move the box into the coop for the night, outside each day.

Mrs K

 

[ChickenGirl555]

The dog pen, and cardboard box would be a good idea. Put the cardboard box in the dog pen if it will fit, or attach it to the dog pen. This would be a VERY GOOD IDEA. You could get the birds out of the house immediately and set them up insight of the birds but out of reach. Leave them in this set up for two weeks. Taking the box into the coop at night. It needs to be of good size, like 2 x 3 feet box. Do not feed them in the box, but rather outside in the dog pen.

Some people have had good luck, putting the little chicks feedbowl on inside the pen, and the adult feed along side of it outside the fence, then they get used to eating together.

A lot of people do integration this way, this may be your best bet. Inside the run, the dog crate (size?) with a heavy duty box either attached to the gate of the crate, or inside the crate for day time protection from the wind. Do make sure it is secure. Using thick rubber band (hardware store) with hooks on each end, could easily attach it. At night after the old biddies have gone to bed, move the box into the coop for the night, outside each day.

Mrs K

Ok I’ll try this. The dog cage was my old cage for my Chiweenie, which is a small dog. I have a bigger one if necessary but otherwise the smaller one could fit better in the run. I need to see if the box I chose will fit in the smaller one. Thanks for all the help so far. It must get annoying sometimes when you hear what some stupid things people have done are. Sorry, but thanks again for the help!

 

[Mrs. K]

haha - not a problem, I am a teacher, and I teach all the time. Go with the biggest one, space is important. As humans there is a natural tendency to think small area is a safe one, but it does not work that way. Go with the biggest one, don't mess with one the size a small dog will fit into.

 

[Mrs. K]

Even if it makes the run crowded, go with the biggest one.

How big is your set up? I am starting to be worried that you have too many chickens in a small space.

 

[ChickenGirl555]

Even if it makes the run crowded, go with the biggest one.

How big is your set up? I am starting to be worried that you have too many chickens in a small space.

Well the run (since half is also under the coop) is about 3 adults long. You can fit a whole adult (and maybe child) inside the coop. We tested it by laying in the coop before the pullets moved in.

 

[Mrs. K]

So are you estimating 15-18 feet? I am hoping you are meaning adult people not chickens!

But if it is that big, then what is the problem putting the larger dog pen in?

 

[ChickenGirl555]

So are you estimating 15-18 feet? I am hoping you are meaning adult people not chickens!

But if it is that big, then what is the problem putting the larger dog pen in?

Oh yes I mean people! The problem with the cage is just the door. It's human-sized and not very wide.

 

[aart]

Post pics of coop and run with dimensions, you have a tape measure?