Integration Pt 2

[CKfarm22]

Hey y’all so i posted another integration thread but i wanted to do an update and need some nice advice. I have an almost 9 week old Buff Orpington and 3 7 month old hens. I started integration a couple weeks ago. She’s been in a “see no touch” in the coop for about 5 weeks now. I started by letting the older hens free range while the BO was in the run by herself. While watching them i allowed the older hens in the run also. Two hens pecked at her and i only budded in once or twice. I’ve been trying to let the BO out everyday while i’m home and watching them, she’s been out in the run with the older hens in for about a total of a week. We have a pallet in the run where she can hide if need be. But the older hens are still pecking at her and chasing her. The BO doesn’t follow the older hens into the coop at night, and i’m worried they will hurt her in the middle of the night so when the older hens go in, the BO goes back into her see no touch. Can anyone give me nice advice on something else i can try?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Probably need more than just 1 pallet for clutter. Have you tried letting her in the free range area? The extra space might help give her more opportunity to be around the other birds but space to get away from them if needed.

 

[CKfarm22]

Probably need more than just 1 pallet for clutter. Have you tried letting her in the free range area? The extra space might help give her more opportunity to be around the other birds but space to get away from them if needed.

I could try, the free range area is just a yard lol i would have to put soemthing in front of the gate so she can’t slip through the bottom of it. I forgot to mention we also have a flipped over 5 gallon bucket she can hide behind too

 

[rosemarythyme]

I could try, the free range area is just a yard lol i would have to put soemthing in front of the gate so she can’t slip through the bottom of it. I forgot to mention we also have a flipped over 5 gallon bucket she can hide behind too

Yard space is still bigger than the run though, I'd assume? The goal is to give her as many options to get away from the others if needed, so you won't have to intervene, hopefully.

 

[CKfarm22]

Yard space is still bigger than the run though, I'd assume? The goal is to give her as many options to get away from the others if needed, so you won't have to intervene, hopefully.

Yes it is bigger in just scared she’ll get lost in places or escape lol. I’ve tried not to intervene but i have a really big heart and i get very anxious when i see the others pecking at her and she squeaks lol

 

[rosemarythyme]

Yes it is bigger in just scared she’ll get lost in places or escape lol. I’ve tried not to intervene but i have a really big heart and i get very anxious when i see the others pecking at her and she squeaks lol

Since you've had her several weeks she *should* remain in the vicinity of her coop. But I don't know the ins and outs of your yard, so up to you if you think she'll stay put with your yard the way it is.

 

[CKfarm22]

Since you've had her several weeks she *should* remain in the vicinity of her coop. But I don't know the ins and outs of your yard, so up to you if you think she'll stay put with your yard the way it is.

i’m just more concerned about them still pecking at eachother

 

[rosemarythyme]

i’m just more concerned about them still pecking at eachother

It's still going to happen, so that's why giving her as much space as possible and obstacles to hide behind is important, so she can make a getaway when needed, since it's unrealistic to expect to be out there every moment to monitor what they're doing.

 

[CKfarm22]

It's still going to happen, so that's why giving her as much space as possible and obstacles to hide behind is important, so she can make a getaway when needed, since it's unrealistic to expect to be out there every moment to monitor what they're doing.

I know pecking is normal and so is chasing as long as there’s no blood or she’s not cornered

 

[aart]

Here's part 1 for those interested:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/integration.1496174/