Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[1muttsfan]

I would add that the more young birds you can add at the same time the better, once they start all running around and squealing it kind of confuses the older birds a little bit.

 

[aart]

I was thinking I would wait a minimum of 2 weeks before I'd open a panic door. @aart, is that long enough?

2 wks would be a minimum, IMO.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

 

[Sally PB]

2 wks would be a minimum, IMO.

Ok, thanks. I'll figure longer than that, like 3 to 4. That's fine by me. Then the littles won't be as little.

 

[aart]

Then the littles won't be as little.

Then a panic door might not work.
Chicks need to be small enough that what they can get thru, the bigger birds cannot.

 

[Sally PB]

Then a panic door might not work.
Chicks need to be small enough that what they can get thru, the bigger birds cannot.

Right now, they are still significantly smaller than the adults. I'll reevaluate the size differential in about 3 weeks. I'm thinking they will still be small enough that a panic door will work, but we'll see how they grow.

Last night they were in their run and Lark (the meanie) was ignoring them. Yesterday was the first day they spent any appreciable time out there, so we're just starting this journey.

I really appreciate the advice from everyone who has been through this before.

 

[Frankiegirl]

Let me reiterate the....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

How long have they been outside with the barrier fences up?

My littles have been out in the coop for about 4 weeks in the barrier area and sleeping on the roost now for 2 weeks with no incidents. They also had access to run around the big run and get back to safety. They are just over 9 weeks now and I swear I am living the same life as @Sally PB right now. The bigs just yesterday seemed to “see” the littles and all H*** broke loose.

Behavior of both groups has changed.

My covered run measures enough space for 13 adult sized birds and I currently have 9 which includes the littles.

So much for a no fuss integration…

 

[SillyChicken]

There is no such thing as "no fuss" when it comes to chickens, they will find fuss to fuss about just so they can fuss! lol!

The littles my girls hatched out on their own... of the 8 hatched there are only 2 left. Something has been taking them out. I found a wing the other day. I have been having an issue with stray tom cats this year - lots of them - so they could be the culprit as I did see one near the birds the other day.

The other youngsters, blue sumatra, are starting to crow... kinda like listening to a young mans voice change... all squeaky. The blue sumatra are all doing well, even the little mini me that is about banty sized (hope they didn't slip one in on me). There is one blue hen that is so beautiful, light blue in color, but I can tell she is a mix because she has a different body type than the others.

Unfortunately, I have an over abundance of roos once again. The sumatra were not sexed and so I have no idea yet what I have with them... other than I know there is at least one crowing.

I ordered sexed faveroles wtih 2 roos, but 2 more roos were "rejected" by another customer so the store called me and asked if I wanted them (free). SillyChicken, that I am I said sure.. they were pretty bad with pasty butt and I wasn't sure if they would be ok, but they are thriving. I guess the good thing is that now I can choose the best of the 4 to keep.

Randy - Glad you're still with us, even though you hate lilacs........ just sayin.

 

[chickflick]

Silly, have fun in your new camper. Love the murphy bed. What dealership did you go to? We bought our in IN also. Barton Lake.
Sally, can you put Lark in a time out cage and let the littles come out to play?
Neighbors.... they sure can make living miserable. Good neighbors are such a blessing.
Randy, I'm glad you are still here to celebrate your open heart surgery.
Dream, Glad you got the shade cloth up. If you still need more shade, we used the panels that they sell for privacy for balconies and wrapped it around the sides of the run. We don't have trees either.
Had a blast camping. Went to the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum. It was so cool. Need to go back. Didn't realize it was so huge. Had to hurry thu it because we have a dog that's on meds and needs to go out every 2-3 hours. If I had known how big the museum was, I would have put a diaper on her. We go to IN every year, so next year we will be prepared.
Lots cooler today. Relief from the past two days. Enjoy, great weather to get things done outside.
Have a good day all.

 

[Sally PB]

Sally, can you put Lark in a time out cage and let the littles come out to play?

The littles have about 1/3 of the run (30+ sf) fenced off for just them, and I'm "decorating" their area with playthings.

So far, Lark is doing what I thought she'd do. But knowing what she was likely to do as lowest hen, and actually seeing it are two different things. I need to just let this all play out, even if I want them to all hold wings and cluck Kumbaya.

 

[Dreamzchaser]

Are you allergic to the sun or just trying to avoid 'tanning'?

avoid tanning I am naturally tanned. I am avoiding to get "darker" I think I have an olive natural color of skin. Not dark, not light except my chest that seems lighter than normal. But no, it is not tanning. I dislike the sun especially when hot. I wear stringtanks in October and November. I like the cool weather. Ac is set at 65 during the day and 68 at night.