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DobieLover said:
Hello Kali, and a belated welcome to BYC.

Unfortunately, you do not have enough space for your pullets let alone for an integration. I would work to greatly expand their space. I know @Debbie292d stated 10 sq ft per bird for the minimum on the run size but IMO, that is just too small. It's just an absolute bare minimum that is quoted on this site by most members and really only works in small flocks with mild temperaments where the run is cleaned out frequently.

I agree more strongly with her stated 15 sq ft per bird for the minimum run area.
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I will clarify it from now on, 10 square feet (bantam breeds) to 15 (all others) per bird, minimally. 😊
 
DobieLover said:
Hello Kali, and a belated welcome to BYC.

Unfortunately, you do not have enough space for your pullets let alone for an integration. I would work to greatly expand their space. I know @Debbie292d stated 10 sq ft per bird for the minimum on the run size but IMO, that is just too small. It's just an absolute bare minimum that is quoted on this site by most members and really only works in small flocks with mild temperaments where the run is cleaned out frequently.

I agree more strongly with her stated 15 sq ft per bird for the minimum run area. Because your pullets are now raising a cockerel, you will eventually end up with fertile eggs and a girl or two (my vote is on the Orpington) will oblige to hatch some and then you will need room for the resulting little family. Broody hens and chicks need even more space. Then if you want to keep the pullets from the hatch... go BIG with the expansion.

The birds need not only lots of space but things to enrich that space like dry organic litter to scratch around in, perches (branches, stumps, pallets, discarded wood chairs or stools) to hang out on, places to hide from other flock members, dry spaces to dig out dust baths and sunny spaces to sunbathe. These are all instinctive behaviors that chickens want to participate in to make their lives as good as possible within the confines of a run.

Your cockerel is physically too small to take on any of the pullets to try to stop them from going after him. He will not develop the maturity to be their flock leader for a while. He needs to learn the ropes. The pullets are actually trying to teach him to give them space and be wary of them but he cannot get out of their personal space easily because they don't have enough space.

As for Titus's torn wattle, I would leave it alone now. Once you clean and disinfect the injury and the bleeding stops, you should just monitor, especially with the cold weather. You don't want to apply wet products to skin in cold weather. Wattles and combs bleed. A LOT. Your Orp got a hold of it and ripped it. It's not uncommon in situations like this.

Good luck with all your chicken projects and enjoy your developing flock!
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This is exactly the conclusion we’ve come to! Today I was outside for a good 5 hours in the rain building him his own coop from which he will still be able to see the hens and interact while he grows and matures. Plus he’s still on starter feed so it’s hard to keep the hens away from it and him away from the later feed lol. Once we move the integration will be a lot easier since they will be free range, Titus will be full grown and now Titus has his own coop that will be attached to their run but separate if you know what I mean. Also the run does have enough square footage for the hens but not for Titus and not enough space for him to be able to give them space like you said.
 
kalikarma said:
Plus he’s still on starter feed so it’s hard to keep the hens away from it and him away from the later feed
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That will never change.
The best way to feed a mixed flock when you have active layers and non layers is to feed an all flock type of feed or a good starter crumble that offers 20% protein and keep one to two containers of oyster shell on the side.
In the nearly 8 years I've been keeping chickens I've never once fed layer feed.
 

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