Integration Roadblock and Questions

[EmmaDonovan]

Could you bribe them with some treats? Sprinkle some grubs or another high value treat on the inside of the littles' run right next to the cage wall then sprinkle some more right on the other side of the cage wall in the big run. That might get everyone eating with their heads down together. The act of eating together like that seems to trigger "we are a flock" thoughts in chicken minds. It also associates the "others" with a yummy treat instead of fear.

Note: I've only tried this with adult hens but it's been effective. Sometimes there was a little posturing or stink eye in the beginning but the desire for the yummy stuff quickly overrode the animosity.

 

[BonnieBlue]

Could you bribe them with some treats? Sprinkle some grubs or another high value treat on the inside of the littles' run right next to the cage wall then sprinkle some more right on the other side of the cage wall in the big run. That might get everyone eating with their heads down together. The act of eating together like that seems to trigger "we are a flock" thoughts in chicken minds. It also associates the "others" with a yummy treat instead of fear.

Note: I've only tried this with adult hens but it's been effective. Sometimes there was a little posturing or stink eye in the beginning but the desire for the yummy stuff quickly overrode the animosity.

I just peeked in on them and the big girls are in the corner of the littles run just chilling, and the littles are just on the other side of the fence laying next to them. I think they just got themselves past a hurdle. (Fingers crossed.)

I am going to let them mingle this afternoon, then go to their own spaces for the night, and decide how to proceed. That is a good excuse to just sit with them to watch and read.

I can't just sprinkle down treats, because we have all kinds of ants here, especially fire ants. No matter how well I think I have them swatted down, as soon as I sprinkle treats, they find their way into the run, from seemingly nowhere.