Introducing new birds to different pens

[kssilkiemama]

She has finally snapped out of her funk... They are all pretty settled now and hoping I can get some pictures tomorrow.

 

[Johnhutch]

Finally all my chicks are in the same coop.... 8 of them are separated from my 19 wk old but it appears to be working. My youngest is 2 1/2 wks with the oldest being 8 weeks. I have noticed that since I put them outside they appear to be getting their feathers seem to be coming in much faster and the younger ones don't need as much heat anymore. The temp at night is around 50 and the days are 75 degrees.. they are adapting to their environment....

 

[Chicken Egg 17]

Ya it has been pretty warm here to but now here this weekend we are to get some snow

 

[Johnhutch]

Ok been 2 weeks since I moved my chicks to the coop and though I make them mingle they refuse to stay out with their older siblings. My older ones peck at them every chance they get which causes them to be constantly running for cover. They are currently still residing in the brooder which is in the coop but blocked off. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Mrs. K]

A one way fence or something similar, that the smaller, younger birds can escape too, but will prevent the bigger birds from following will really help. This allows the chicks to be out of reach, but still in sight, or out of sight. They need a break outside of the coop, or they will just stay in the coop.

However, even when the two groups tolerate each other, they will still remain a sub flock until the chick begin to lay eggs. That causes a status rise, and the flock becomes one. This is even true of chicks raised under a broody hen in the flock. The flock gets used to them and learns to tolerate them, as the broody hen will aggressively defend them. After she no longer cares for them, they are still accepted as one of the flock, but they are much lower in the pecking order, and act as a sub flock. Once they begin laying, they all become one flock.

Mrs K

 

[Johnhutch]

They have a separate area in the coop where they constantly stay. Even if I take them out as soon as they hear the older ones the go running for cover... Now today Ive given them a s.allergy area for refuge, its wide enough to hold their water n food and maybe a bit standing room... I'm always supervising their inneraction but my 8 wks old n younger are being very stubborn an refusing to mingle.

This is how I've given them a refuge area...

 

[Chicken Egg 17]

Try locking them out in the run in he after noon once all ur adult birds have laid for he day and just get the pm used to being around them a bit and to there new place get then after about an hour just open there door and let them in if they want but keep doing it for a few days but u can do it longer each day

 

[Johnhutch]

I'm going to try this tomorrow... Will let you know the out come.

 

[Chicken Egg 17]

Ok good luck

 

[Chicken Egg 17]

How did it go