I am sure there are as many different answers to this question as there are breeds of chickens. But here it is any way....
I have 3 BCM that a friend gave me and I am wanting to integrate them into my flock. I have quarantined them and now they are in a temporary pen in the main run where they are being introduced to the others with the protection of the wire. So now that they have been in this pen for a few days, my 2 hens have started laying and I am wanting to go a head and try to move them in with the rest of the flock so they will start laying in the nest and not get in a habit of laying on the ground.
So here is the question.... what is the best way to do this? I know some say to let them free range with the others during the day but I can't free range so they have a large run/pen attached to their coop. So do I let them out for a little bit each day and monitor them..... do I put them in the coop at night..... if I do that do I put them in at the beginning of the night or go out in the middle of the night like 2 am and put them in???
I would really like to hear your stories on what worked for you and then determine from your experience what will work best for me and mine.
Thank you in advance for your help!
I have 3 BCM that a friend gave me and I am wanting to integrate them into my flock. I have quarantined them and now they are in a temporary pen in the main run where they are being introduced to the others with the protection of the wire. So now that they have been in this pen for a few days, my 2 hens have started laying and I am wanting to go a head and try to move them in with the rest of the flock so they will start laying in the nest and not get in a habit of laying on the ground.
So here is the question.... what is the best way to do this? I know some say to let them free range with the others during the day but I can't free range so they have a large run/pen attached to their coop. So do I let them out for a little bit each day and monitor them..... do I put them in the coop at night..... if I do that do I put them in at the beginning of the night or go out in the middle of the night like 2 am and put them in???
I would really like to hear your stories on what worked for you and then determine from your experience what will work best for me and mine.
Thank you in advance for your help!
hit). I divided my big coop and run and put my little girls on the opposite side of the 9 original, big hens. That way, they could see each other but not hurt each other. The other time was similar. There was still a bit of pecking, but otherwise it worked well. Hope that helps!
