I am in need of it I will be integrating my flock today, in a half hour from now actually. I have three 11 week old Wyandottes in a run/coop with a 5 month old Brahma. I have two 15 week old pullets who free range in my yard. Everybody had has introductions through the run fencing since Saturday. There has been no chest bumping at the fence, but I know that could change once they have contact with each other. Here is my plan: I will open the door to the Wyandotte/Brahma run so they can come out if they want, and free range. My yard is not big enough to worry about losing anybody, and there are no holes where the 11 weekers could slip out of. The 5 month old Brahma gets along wonderfully with the 11 weekers. The 11 weekers and 15 weekers are not much difference in size. I will definately be out there for the introductions. What sort of things should I expect? I have read a lot of things that say don't reseperate unless there is bloodshed. How often does bloodshed happen? Will the 5 month old Brahma defend the 11 weekers from my 15 weekers? Or will they even NEED defending? I am basically looking for supportive words lol, this is my first time ever integrating and I want it to be done with the least amount of danger to all parties involved. Thanks! Edited To Add: 11 weekers = Wyandotte pullets 15 weekers = Barred Rock and EE pullets 5 month old = Dark Brahma pullet All are standard/large fowl
Sit down in the dog's chair, with a diet pepsi, camera, and a squirt gun. Better yet, make that a cup of hot camomile tea! Tie your shoe laces together and sit tight. Maybe have a book or magazine (with pictures, not much text) to "read" or at least glance through, now and then. Have a bowl of BOSS next to you, to toss some out every once in a while, some in one direction, some in another. Make that a HUGE cup of camomile tea. It's gonna be fine.
lol! You sure you can't skip out on work and come over to my house to keep me from having a panic attack? I will make myself a cup of tea now, because I definately need it lol. I sure hope chickens don't feed off anxiety like dogs! Thank you for the advice though, I definately will have to tie my shoelaces together and I will have the BOSS ready. I think it will be fine.. I hope it will but I think it will too. The ONLY chicken I am worried about is Joon, my Barred Rock. I don't want her bullying anybody, but I guess they have to work the pecking order out huh? Wish me lots of luck!! I will update once I have been out while they are out
If anything I would be leary of the 5 mo old picking on the rest. If your Brama is ok with the young-uns, I think they will be fine after a little settling down period. Good luck!
Just did it!! Well what I thought would happen did happen. My 15 week old Barred Rock is definately head hen. It is so weird to see her chasing this HUGE 5 month old Brahma around!! She also went to show the Wyandottes who was boss, they ran too. BUT wanna hear something weird?? My EE Munk who is lower then Joon on pecking order, went to peck Butternut one of the Wyandottes, and Butternut STOOD UP to her!! Munk RAN for her life LOL I was so surprised! I guess Munk really is the lower one of the totem pole. No blood, no even REAL pecking. Everybody has plenty of room to get away from each other and things are going smoothly so far. I am just surprised Joon has the upper hand over the MUCH bigger Brahma! Joon is not bullying anybody though, she started to really bully and I swatted her bum. Gently of course, but it snapped her out of the mission of pecking the Wyandottes. So, everything is good in the neighborhood! It took a while for Monica (Brahma) and the Wyandottes to come out of the run, but now they are LOVING the yard, and plenty of room to get away from Joon's "queen bee" self.
