Look don’t touch question

[tlcmurphy]

I think the biggest problem was me trying to add 1 bird to 3 and not their age. I hope all goes well for you!

 

[CrockChickens9]

Had them free range together this morning. My buff Orpington pecker one once or twice but my fixated Australorp chased them all over and ripped out some feathers on a few. When I put them back in the run I put the Australorp in the chick enclosure and left the BO out with the 4 chicks for a bit. Not too bad but a few times of chasing and got a few feathers. When things were settled and I needed to leave I put the BO in with the Australorp in the chick enclosure and left the chicks to have the full run. I got to be honest this is tough. We seem so far from an integrated flock and we started looking don’t touch 5 weeks ago. Still seems like it will be a blood bath if put together :/ Is it always like this or am I just headed for disaster? How much chasing and plucking is normal?

 

[BenisonsChickns]

Alright soooo I started to integrate the pullets today and everyone was pretty well behaved, my white leghorn had a few pecks but nothing to terrible, I allowed the older ladies to free range while the pullets ran the whole coop than took the older ladies one at a time and put them with the 4 pullets, this went well and the older ladies didn’t do any pecking I guess since they felt outnumbered. Then in the evening I let everyone free range and it went well once again the leghorn being the boss she watched and chased a little but not enough to be concerned about. I will probably start doing this kind of integration daily until everyone seems comfortable including myself…. The only question I had is in regards to feed the pullets were eating the layer pellets and the adults were eating the kalbach crumble grower starter…. Is this a problem and how have you all address the feed situation?

 

[BenisonsChickns]

Had them free range together this morning. My buff Orpington pecker one once or twice but my fixated Australorp chased them all over and ripped out some feathers on a few. When I put them back in the run I put the Australorp in the chick enclosure and left the BO out with the 4 chicks for a bit. Not too bad but a few times of chasing and got a few feathers. When things were settled and I needed to leave I put the BO in with the Australorp in the chick enclosure and left the chicks to have the full run. I got to be honest this is tough. We seem so far from an integrated flock and we started looking don’t touch 5 weeks ago. Still seems like it will be a blood bath if put together :/ Is it always like this or am I just headed for disaster? How much chasing and plucking is normal?

Sorry it’s not going easy for you over there… wish I had some advice

 

[tlcmurphy]

Alright soooo I started to integrate the pullets today and everyone was pretty well behaved, my white leghorn had a few pecks but nothing to terrible, I allowed the older ladies to free range while the pullets ran the whole coop than took the older ladies one at a time and put them with the 4 pullets, this went well and the older ladies didn’t do any pecking I guess since they felt outnumbered. Then in the evening I let everyone free range and it went well once again the leghorn being the boss she watched and chased a little but not enough to be concerned about. I will probably start doing this kind of integration daily until everyone seems comfortable including myself…. The only question I had is in regards to feed the pullets were eating the layer pellets and the adults were eating the kalbach crumble grower starter…. Is this a problem and how have you all address the feed situation?

I switched all of mine to the grower starter. Won’t hurt them since they are molting, might hurt the wallet a bit though. When the new girls get bigger we’ll go back to the All Flock, I don’t use Layer feed anymore due to the low protein.
Oyster shell on the side of course.

 

[CrockChickens9]

Sorry it’s not going easy for you over there… wish I had some advice

Thank you! I’m glad it’s going well for you!

 

[rosemarythyme]

The only question I had is in regards to feed the pullets were eating the layer pellets and the adults were eating the kalbach crumble grower starter

Easy rule is always feed the entire flock whatever the youngest birds are eating. Oyster shell on the side will provide calcium for layers.

 

[CrockChickens9]

So we built a frame and blocked the coop off so the chicks are in the older pullets presence 24/7 instead of being in the brooder in the garage at night. We still move them to the enclosure in the run in the morning right at the same time as the pop door opens for the big girls. It’s only been two nights and they are already better during the day! They free ranged together and the Australorp only chased one once. She is much less concerned with them and no pecking. No time together in the run yet but I’m going to go nice and slow. I’ll continue to update for anyone interested.

 

[BenisonsChickns]

Ok starting to get closer to full integration, tonight I’m going to let them free range and then when they go in at dark in going to leave both sides of the coop open so the young girls can intermingle with the older ladies in the night/morning. I’m off work tomorrow so I’ll be able to see how the interaction is in the morning…. Fingers crossed

 

[BenisonsChickns]

Ok starting to get closer to full integration, tonight I’m going to let them free range and then when they go in at dark in going to leave both sides of the coop open so the young girls can intermingle with the older ladies in the night/morning. I’m off work tomorrow so I’ll be able to see how the interaction is in the morning…. Fingers crossed

Well so far so good I’ve seen a little pecking but for the most part the 4 young girls stick together and wonder the run they are still roosting on the opposite side of the coop but their intermingling all day with no forced separation.