Integration Questions

[Shox820]

I have slowly been integrating a new flock of 8 to my original 7. The older 7 are 6 months old, the younger 8 are 12 weeks. They started separate but seeing, now we are all in the same space all day and i have been getting them all used to being in the coop at night together. My question is during the day the little ones prefer to just hang out in the coop away from the big ones. To the point i worry if they are eating and drinking enough. Do I let them? If I close the door the big girls can’t get to the nest boxes. The littles also like to take all the bedding out while they hang out in there which is annoying. Do I just let them do their thing and they will figure it out when they are bigger and laying themselves?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

The younger ones are staying away from the older ones so they don't get pecked. That's normal. How big is your run? Do you have places where birds can get away from each other?

 

[Shox820]

There is plenty of space and ample hiding places. They have been fully together for about 3 weeks. Mainly just want to make sure they are eating and drinking enough since it’s so hot.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

How many feeders and waterers do you have? Best to have multiples, and be sure chicks eating and drinking can't be seen from other feed/ water stations.

Is there clutter in the run? Things the littles can use to hide from or escape from the bigs if necessary? A pallet or sheet of wood leaning on a wall or fence to make a tunnel ... a pallet on blocks or bricks they can hide under ... a table or chairs they can get on top of ... etc. But nothing that forms a trap or dead end.