Pecking order?

[Beckid974]

At that age this time of year in WV they can go outside now. Those photos will be interesting, I may have done something similar to that ramp/tunnel for my grow-out coop. That room is not great but it's not horrible either. I think you will be OK.

Yes they are ready physically to go outside, but I am waiting to be sure there are no roos first. I guess that wouldn't matter except to me lol. And this summer has been ridiculous, more like Florida than WV!!!!

 

[Beckid974]

Here's the coop and run, and Lil Bit with all but one of the girls. Starla would rather be in the coop with the fan in this heat lol.

 

[Ridgerunner]

That tunnel looks a lot like what I did between my grow-out coop and the run.

My first suggestion is to come up with a way to house the chicks across wire from the older ones so they can see each other but not get to each other. That could be sectioning off a section inside the coop, putting something inside the run that protects them from the weather or something outside the run but next to it so they can get into the run. It could be on the ground, it could be elevated. Section off a portion of the run for their use, isolated from the older ones. You can use chicken wire inside the run since it is only to separate the chickens. Your biggest problem may be a way to come up with a gate or door to give yourself access. I prefer the grow-out coop as I think it gives you more control and flexibility, but inside the coop can work.

House them side by side for at least a week, I prefer more but a week might be enough. Then, when you can observe, open the door/gate between their run and the main run. Keep separate feeding/watering stations in each section. If they are in the coop, just open the pen door. That's about it. If you see problems lock them back up and try again in a week. It's fine if they continue to sleep apart for a while. I prefer they do, mine are most brutal to each other as they are settling down to sleep.

It would not hurt to put something in the run for them to hide behind, under, or on, especially if you use the separate grow-out coop. What I'd expect to see is the young to avoid the older. If they are all in the main coop, the young may be on the roosts when the older are on the coop floor. If the older are in the run, the young will likely be in the coop. Try to not force them to share a small space any more than you have to, try to give them as much space and time as you can for them to work things out.

Good luck!

 

[Beckid974]

Thanks! We actually have an old 8x8 pvc pen that I've already been putting the younger ones out in of the evenings next to the big run. It's not in the pic because I moved it to mow earlier this morning .The older ones bunch up at their fence for a few minutes to look, then go about their business but come back every little bit to see if younger ones are still there lol. I had thought about sectioning off part of the coop but wasn't sure on the run. The current set up would mean the young ones would have to be physically taken out of the coop or else the big girls wouldn't be able to get out. Drawback of only one bird access point to the run. Thanks for all the advice !

 

[Ridgerunner]

These show my general set-up. The first is the overall. My main coop is the end of that shed on the left, my grow-out coop with the tunnel connection is on the right, and inside the electric fencing is whee I sometimes put a broody hen with chicks.

This is a shot of my grow-out coop where I often isolate younger chicks. You can't see it but an 8' section of my main run has a fence across it with a door so I can go in between easily. One of the downsides to this with that tunnel is that I have to walk all the way around to get from the run to the coop. Sometimes that is a pain.

This is where I sometimes put a broody hen with her chicks when my main coop is pretty crowded. There is not much to it, just basically a box open on one end. It's kind of what I was thinking about you outing in your run.

Maybe this will give you some ideas.

 

[Beckid974]

I like the grow out coop idea. We're going to get something put together this weekend. Thanks!!!!

 

[LittleMissCountry]

Mine didn't have a clear pecking order until they got close to egg laying age. I only have four. Once the combs and wattles were red and full, I saw who the top hen was, and who the lowest one was.

 

[New2Chicks97]

Our chickens have a limited pecking order mostly because they free range a lot and stay out of each other’s way. The Easter Eggers seem to be the leaders. My husband’s little EE is the only one who will take the rooster to task though. She took a chunk out of his wattle when he made her mad then proceeded to chase him around....out for blood. It was so funny cause he is 3 times her size.

Where do you all find such sweet roosters? Yours sounds like a sweetheart. I wish our rooster was that sweet. Ours is a giant jerk and is going to find a new home as he attacks our daughter at every opportunity. Apparently not all Buff Orpington chickens are nice and family friendly.