Integration Vs. Security

[Smashlee83]

I'm currently going back and forth on what to do with my brooder chicks. I have a current flock of 2 ducks, 4 hens, 1 rooster, 1 pullet and 1 cockerel. They are "free range" ish. They have about a 1/2 acre lot that is fenced in and an automatic coop door. When they are smaller they can get in an out of the fencing. My two teens were broody hen raised and were well protected by their mom by 3 weeks old when I let them roam. I now have 7 pullets in a brooder inside and I am getting ready to put them out. I can keep them in a dog kennel inside the coop for a while, but I get nervous about their protection when I let them venture out. I'm toying with the idea of a prefab small coop with an outdoor screened in run. This would be safer, but would it hinder their integration?

 

[3KillerBs]

This is the integration pen I rigged up inside my electric fence: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/mini-coop-or-integration-pen-from-a-large-dog-crate.76593/

Maybe you could do something similar inside your fence for the see-don't-touch phase?

 

[azygous]

In Houston, I would imagine there are few daytime predators, although hawks are everywhere and often are the biggest threat.

A covered run is the most secure structure for any flock no matter the age of the chickens. Even if they mostly free range, having immediate access to secure cover provides a very necessary safety feature for chickens, and they do make use of it.

For chicks who are integrating into a flock, having a safe space within the safety of a covered run serves a double purpose. On one hand, they have a space where they can find safety from chicken bullies as well as a space where a predator can't reach them. Many of us refer to this space as a "panic room". Chicks have access through small openings large chickens can't fit in. Food and water are readily accessible to the chicks and they know they won't be bullied away from them.

As for chicks venturing out of the run into the larger free range space, they will do so gradually, preferring to keep close to the covered run for several weeks until they gain in size as well as experience. My chicks usually won't venture more than a couple feet from the run until they are a few months old.

 

[IsaihaShel10]

I'm currently going back and forth on what to do with my brooder chicks. I have a current flock of 2 ducks, 4 hens, 1 rooster, 1 pullet and 1 cockerel. They are "free range" ish. They have about a 1/2 acre lot that is fenced in and an automatic coop door. When they are smaller they can get in an out of the fencing. My two teens were broody hen raised and were well protected by their mom by 3 weeks old when I let them roam. I now have 7 pullets in a brooder inside and I am getting ready to put them out. I can keep them in a dog kennel inside the coop for a while, but I get nervous about their protection when I let them venture out. I'm toying with the idea of a prefab small coop with an outdoor screened in run. This would be safer, but would it hinder their integration?

Are you scared of putting them with your other chickens?

 

[Smashlee83]

Are you scared of putting them with your other chickens?

They are separated from the rest of the flock.

 

[IsaihaShel10]

They are separated from the rest of the flock.

Well first you could try and put them in there maby try a couple in he coop with themohers first cause the older ones will like peck at it but might not nesscaraly kill it. Your younger ones will have to show there dominace. Dont have to just an idea it has worked for me