JordanFarm
In the Brooder
I've read with interest all the threads about integrating your new chicks to the existing flock. I put my littles out into a section of the coop (a converted horse stall) where they can see/be seen by the "bigs" but can't interact. When I am tending to them, the littles have come out and run around a bit, and the bigs didn't seem to really mind, but I didn't want them to be out together unsupervised. I planned to create the "small opening/safe escape" route this weekend when I'm around and have time to keep an eye on everyone. They are 4 weeks this week. 6 chicks and 3 adult hens.
Little entrepreneurs jumped the gun on me and this morning everyone was in together. I watched them for a while, and all seemed to be fine. Occasionally a 'big' will tell a 'little' that she's out of line - just a peck, or an advance, and the chick retreats with a squeak. Even when I tossed a handful of treats no one got pushy.
I have three food options - the bigs get crumble in one container and pellets in another, and the littles' food is in the area the bigs can't access. But guess what the littles want to eat? Yes, big girl food.
Their little personalities are showing up. One of the Buff Orpingtons is my new best friend. She wants to be picked up and will sit on my lap or hand as long as I let her. The other Buff is also friendly but for a while she and one to the Silver Wyandottes were being 'bad girls" and wanted nothing to do with me. The 2 Barred Rocks are first in line to see I might have for them to eat but let me pick them up easily. The 2 Wyandottes stick together. They interact less with the other 4 and are not particularly interested in me. I have handled all of them equally. I think one might be a roo. It is growing a red wattle.
But I will give it time to come around, reading here they are hard to sex this early. I'll try to get a photo for your opinions.
So for everyone wondering about integration, I had a plan, they did their own thing, and it is going well!
Little entrepreneurs jumped the gun on me and this morning everyone was in together. I watched them for a while, and all seemed to be fine. Occasionally a 'big' will tell a 'little' that she's out of line - just a peck, or an advance, and the chick retreats with a squeak. Even when I tossed a handful of treats no one got pushy.
I have three food options - the bigs get crumble in one container and pellets in another, and the littles' food is in the area the bigs can't access. But guess what the littles want to eat? Yes, big girl food.
Their little personalities are showing up. One of the Buff Orpingtons is my new best friend. She wants to be picked up and will sit on my lap or hand as long as I let her. The other Buff is also friendly but for a while she and one to the Silver Wyandottes were being 'bad girls" and wanted nothing to do with me. The 2 Barred Rocks are first in line to see I might have for them to eat but let me pick them up easily. The 2 Wyandottes stick together. They interact less with the other 4 and are not particularly interested in me. I have handled all of them equally. I think one might be a roo. It is growing a red wattle.
But I will give it time to come around, reading here they are hard to sex this early. I'll try to get a photo for your opinions. So for everyone wondering about integration, I had a plan, they did their own thing, and it is going well!
