Integration

[L Home Farm]

I just bought 6 cream Legbars, 5 10wk pullets and a 14wk old roo.
Im wondering if it’s safe to integrate them with my adult salmon Faverolles? I read that pecking their crests when they’re young can cause brain damage. When are they old enough not to get that? Could I integrate without worrying extra about that?
Thanks!

 

[Debbie292d]

Generally, integration with the same breed when they're the same size is best. My own experience with Silkies I found at 5 mos, they'll still get bullied, at 6 mos, they're an adult like the rest. Other breeds mature faster than Silkies, but it's pretty much what happens with them all relatively.

If you have no choice, we put a wooden box, like a rabbit hutch, on the floor of the coop by the door. That way the little ones could get cover and not get pecked, and they'd be the first ones out. They didn't get any food or water before being let out so I had a feeder of starter and water for them every morning for a month.

 

[L Home Farm]

Ok, thank you.
I’ll definitely make some kind of creep shelter thing.
But, should I be worried about possible brain damage? They would be in a very large area, so plenty of space to keep to themselves.

 

[L Home Farm]

?

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC.

Here are some useful articles on integration:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-coop-brooder-and-integration.74591/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-“see-but-don’t-touch”-method.67839/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/adding-to-your-flock.47756/

Also this thread: Thread 'A cluttered run'

 

[Mrs. K]

Sometimes you can mix bantams with full size birds, and sometimes you cannot.

 

[L Home Farm]

Thanks. They are all full sized, I have no bantams. I would integrate them in a heartbeat but..
Should I be worried about brain damage from pecking?

 

[3KillerBs]

Thanks. They are all full sized, I have no bantams. I would integrate them in a heartbeat but..
Should I be worried about brain damage from pecking?

IIRC, Legbars do not have the vulnerable vaulted skulls.

You might check with a breed expert though.

 

[L Home Farm]

Ok, thank you!! I read somewhere that they did, that’s a relief.