Need Advice

[j4Vu]

We have four Barred Rock pullets that are about 3 months old. They are out in the coop now and have been since about 6 weeks.
We followed the information on taking Chicks from brooder to coop and had no problems.
So here is the tough one.
Also we have four Amereaucanas pullets, they are 6 weeks old, and still in the brooder.
We think think they are ready to start going out with the others in the coop, but we want as less stress and complications to both us and our chicks.
So we are hoping that by sharing our situation that you can better to assist us on what we may or may not be doing in our chicks best interest.

About a week ago we started the playpen method, and have it outside flush to the run of the coop. I also put a little feed down on both sides of chicks in hopes that they will spend more time closer then apart, in which case they can become more familiar to each other. So it been a week so we tried for the first time having them all together. My husband stayed in the coop with them to referee it was not so bad at first but then when the little guys started to move around the BR's went chasing them until all four small chicks were in a corner being pecked upon repeatedly.
My husband broke it up and we separated them.
I wonder if they may be still to young and small yet.
Should we keep trying every few days putting them together for short intervals, or instead wait a couple weeks? Second I have started taking them in the mornings and instead of going straight in there pen I put them up in the roost and keep it closed off like we did with the BR when they first went to the coop. I just leave them in there for about and hour when the morning chill has warmed up. I thought it would be to there advantage so when they are all together they will be more prepared to roost at night.

J4Vu

 

[sourland]

If they were mine, I would wait until they were larger to attempt the integration. Chicken society is frequently cruel and larger more dominant birds pick upon smaller lower ranked birds. Is it possible to split your pen and coop in half with temporary fencing? Allow the Ameraucanas to become secure in their section and then over a period of time (days not hours) introduce the barred rocks to them one at a time starting with the least dominant hen.

 

[Mrs. K]

It is important to have hideouts in your run/coop, and different heights. Things like extra roosts in the run, a pallet on blocks can provide shade and a roost. A pallet leaned up against the coop, can be a hide out. Often times if a bird can get out of sight, the bullies forget about it for a while.

However, they are still quite a size difference, and I agree with the above poster, they little ones need to be bigger, and I would think about another 6 weeks bigger.

Mrs K

 

[j4Vu]

Thank You for both your opinions.
We appreciate you taking the time to help us with our chicks and will be taking this advice.
My husband had already discussed the idea of sectioning off the coop and run in half. So we will be in the process of this step.
You know I didn't realize how small the Amereaucanas were until they were in the coop next to Barred Rock.
I agree they need more time and until we separate the coop and run we will still be bringing them in at night still.
Thank You Again
J4Vu

 

[aart]

Thank You for both your opinions.
We appreciate you taking the time to help us with our chicks and will be taking this advice.
My husband had already discussed the idea of sectioning off the coop and run in half. So we will be in the process of this step.
You know I didn't realize how small the Amereaucanas were until they were in the coop next to Barred Rock.
I agree they need more time and until we separate the coop and run we will still be bringing them in at night still.
Thank You Again
J4Vu

Splitting the coop and run works really well if you can do it.....6 weeks old should be plenty ready to leave out in a coop fulltime.

 

[j4Vu]

That is what we are planning on doing my husband will be working on it after work.