Integration?

[Ilovemychicks08]

Sorry if this is in the wrong spot.
We recently moved and just yesterday was able to put the chickens back in their coop after some renovations.

Now normally i have 2 coops my main plus my integration coop. But i cant have it that way this time.
I still am expanding my coop out more so im not worried about the size.
But how can i integrate 8 chicks, into 9 hens without a see no touch. The chicks are 14 weeks, and need out of the integration coop.
Thanks

 

[Mrs. K]

Do you have a run? If so lock the old ones out of the run, let the new ones in the run. Feed along the fence. Put them where they have been sleeping for a couple more nights. Let the old ones in.

Day 3 - Keep 3 of the middle of the flock, with the chicks in the run. The chicks will out number the older birds. Do have hideouts and escapes, and multiple feed bowls. There will be a dust up, feathers may fly. Definitely do this on a day where you can be close by. But really, chasing chicks is hard work, and the old girls will get tired of it. They won't make best friends, and the chicks will be their own group, but they should be able to keep out of the space of the old girls and live happily.

Day 5-6 Let chicks and old girls out to free range in the yard. Watch carefully, by this time, the chicks should have the manners to not insult their elders, and give them space. They may very well follow the big girls back to the coop - if so you are golden.

Sometimes you will get one or two just vicious elders - they will not quit attacking and are heartless. Put THEM in the integration pen. Wait a good week or so, then try again with the whole flock in the yard.

Mrs K

 

[paddock36]

I always used an old dog kennel/crate. Put inside the coop with the young ones in there with feed and water. Then make sure you sprinkle feed around the crate so the others have to be near them but can't get to them. After 4 days, put the new ones on the roost at night with the other hens. Always worked for me.

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

Do you have a run? If so lock the old ones out of the run, let the new ones in the run. Feed along the fence. Put them where they have been sleeping for a couple more nights. Let the old ones in.

Day 3 - Keep 3 of the middle of the flock, with the chicks in the run. The chicks will out number the older birds. Do have hideouts and escapes, and multiple feed bowls. There will be a dust up, feathers may fly. Definitely do this on a day where you can be close by. But really, chasing chicks is hard work, and the old girls will get tired of it. They won't make best friends, and the chicks will be their own group, but they should be able to keep out of the space of the old girls and live happily.

Day 5-6 Let chicks and old girls out to free range in the yard. Watch carefully, by this time, the chicks should have the manners to not insult their elders, and give them space. They may very well follow the big girls back to the coop - if so you are golden.

Sometimes you will get one or two just vicious elders - they will not quit attacking and are heartless. Put THEM in the integration pen. Wait a good week or so, then try again with the whole flock in the yard.

Mrs K

I dont have the run up yet, ill be doing that tomorrow. Ill definitely try this thanks!

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

I always used an old dog kennel/crate. Put inside the coop with the young ones in there with feed and water. Then make sure you sprinkle feed around the crate so the others have to be near them but can't get to them. After 4 days, put the new ones on the roost at night with the other hens. Always worked for me.

I have a small kennel but definitely not big enough for 8 chicks, and i have a mean hen

 

[aart]

I still am expanding my coop out more so im not worried about the size

How big will it be, in feet by feet, once this is done...and when will it be done??
Dimensions and pics would really help here.

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

How big will it be, in feet by feet, once this is done...and when will it be done??
Dimensions and pics would really help here.

Its a 6 1/2 x 4 1/2 and
Will be a bit over a 6 x 6 when done. Might make it a 6 x 8 I wont be keeping all the chicks as 3 are boys just have to know what one i want to keep. And i might ger rid a few pullets to once they grow out.
The run will be a bit over a 6 x 11 for now i may expand later after i get everything settled. The last few weeks have been a lot.

Here is outdoor pictures, i still have a bit of work, and the underneath of the coop will blocked.

Indoor photo

Birds in my flock
One Orpington
One light brahma
One black australorp
One wyandotte
Two standard cochins
Two bantam cochins
One Russian Orloff.

The chicks are Russian orloff x bantam cochins and one orloff standard cochin. All are on the smaller side at 14 weeks.

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

Its a 6 1/2 x 4 1/2 and
Will be a bit over a 6 x 6 when done. Might make it a 6 x 8 I wont be keeping all the chicks as 3 are boys just have to know what one i want to keep. And i might ger rid a few pullets to once they grow out.
The run will be a bit over a 6 x 11 for now i may expand later after i get everything settled. The last few weeks have been a lot.

Here is outdoor pictures, i still have a bit of work, and the underneath of the coop will blocked. View attachment 4060792 View attachment 4060791

The run and coop will be predator proof and completely covered so they will have access to the run. I have a auto door to.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

The coop is 6x8? That's 48 sq ft. Figure 4 sq ft per bird of floor space and you have room for 12 hens to fit comfortably. That is generally recommended to prevent bad behavior like bullying, feather picking and worse. And you say you have a mean hen. Watch out for chickens refusing to go into the coop at night, your "mean hen" may not let them in, or may run them off the roosts, etc.