Introducing Adult Chickens

[aart]

If they haven’t shown any kinds of sickness for this long then what’s the point of keeping them away a little longer? Am I missing something or is that right?

Up to you...at least check them over real well for lice and mites, and treat if necessary.

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

 

[rosemarythyme]

I have pretty much a standard coop and run situation going on. I could buy some wire to separate two ends. I know safety is a big issue and I am definitely concerned for my little ones. What do you guys suggest for a "panic room"? I know there are no specific answers, but how long do you think it will take to integrate them? It's kind of dependent on me whether or not we get the adult ones. My family wants them so that we can have eggs right away. I am just wondering if it's realistic to assume everyone will get along. Someone said that you should wait until they are both the same size which seems like quite a long time. I know it would be safer that way though.

Not sure what a "standard coop and run" area means (not enough space?) but here's my brooder turned into a "panic room" - the wire shelf across the front keeps the hens from getting in, while the small gaps left on either side gives chicks easy access.

After integrating chicks with adults I would not wait until the chicks get bigger, as adults are less threatened and therefore more accepting of chicks, and frankly it's easier to provide chick sized hiding places than trying to make escape routes for birds all the same size. However my situation is different as I raised my chicks out in the run alongside the adults, so by 6 weeks they were in the coop and roosting.

 

[aart]

Not sure what a "standard coop and run" area means (not enough space?)

and frankly it's easier to provide chick sized hiding places

Plus chicks can run fast as h3ll!!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Plus chicks can run fast as h3ll!!

And fly! If mine can't go around the hens, they go over them, like playing leap frog.

 

[FowlLove]

Not sure what a "standard coop and run" area means (not enough space?) but here's my brooder turned into a "panic room" - the wire shelf across the front keeps the hens from getting in, while the small gaps left on either side gives chicks easy access.

View attachment 1515419

After integrating chicks with adults I would not wait until the chicks get bigger, as adults are less threatened and therefore more accepting of chicks, and frankly it's easier to provide chick sized hiding places than trying to make escape routes for birds all the same size. However my situation is different as I raised my chicks out in the run alongside the adults, so by 6 weeks they were in the coop and roosting.

Lol! I am sorry I wasn’t more clear on that. It’s standard in the fact that they sleep in the coop and come out to the run in the morning. It’s big enough to be walk-in and they definitely have enough space. Edit: Also thank you for the panic room idea!

 

[FowlLove]

Up to you...at least check them over real well for lice and mites, and treat if necessary.

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

Alright. I will be sure to do that! Thank you for reminding me about that!

 

[aart]

It’s big enough to be walk-in and they definitely have enough space.

A walk-in coop can still be lacking floor space for birds.

Feet by feet dimensions of open floor space(not including nests and feeders),
number of birds in residence,
feet by feet dimensions of run and whether it's weather proof,
are all needed info to determine if 'enough space' is provided.

Integration works best with 'extra' space.

 

[FowlLove]

I don’t have exact dimensions, we have 8 and they will have a comfortable amount of space when they are older. I am not sure about 10 full grown chickens tho.. The whole run/coop has a metal roof and about 1/4 is covered by the coop underside. It’s big enough that there can be 2 or 3 people sitting down in the run with them if that helps. There’s a big coop with 4 nesting boxes.

A walk-in coop can still be lacking floor space for birds.

Feet by feet dimensions of open floor space(not including nests and feeders),
number of birds in residence,
feet by feet dimensions of run and whether it's weather proof,
are all needed info to determine if 'enough space' is provided.

Integration works best with 'extra' space.

xact

 

[aart]

I don’t have exact dimensions,

Do you have a tape measure?
I see you do have camera capabilities....cute avatar pic....so a pic would do too.

 

[rosemarythyme]

It’s big enough that there can be 2 or 3 people sitting down in the run with them if that helps. There’s a big coop with 4 nesting boxes.

That right there sounds small to me. For 8 chickens you'd want a minimum of 80 sq ft in the run, assuming they don't free range regularly, and more for integration or just general comfort of the animals. That's the equivalent of a small side bedroom, which should hold more than 3 people sitting on the floor even with a bed in one corner.