Pinless Peepers

[melissadennis0]

Did you just put them all together? Meaning you put them all in the same run without any separation in area of the run?

I placed them in the middle of the night. Many suggested this was an excellent way to integrate. Yeah, not so much. I have cameras so I watched them like a hawk and ran to them immediately once it started.

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

I have used pinless peepers extensively over the last year or so. They don't inhibit any normal daily functions, and they definitely help with aggression.

My experience is that they aren't a long term solution to patterns of aggressive behavior, but I would think they'd help with something like integrating new flock members.

 

[melissadennis0]

I have used pinless peepers extensively over the last year or so. They don't inhibit any normal daily functions, and they definitely help with aggression.

My experience is that they aren't a long term solution to patterns of aggressive behavior, but I would think they'd help with something like integrating new flock members.

Great thank you.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I placed them in the middle of the night. Many suggested this was an excellent way to integrate. Yeah, not so much. I have cameras so I watched them like a hawk and ran to them immediately once it started.

When you get ready to try again, place them in a run/housing next to the existing ones so they can see each other for a couple of weeks. This can help (sometimes) may integration go more smoothly. There is still going to be some picking/pecking/chasing and scuffles until everything is sorted out - this can take time and patience.

You want to have plenty of room, probably add an extra feed and water station and have barriers and/or some places where the younger ones can get up and out of the way of the older birds.

Look up and do some reading/research on "see-but-don't-touch" integration.
Hopefully with a few adjustments, things will get better for you.

 

[MissChick@dee]

Well based on results perhaps you could tweak the approach a little bit. Make a pen within your pen so they can see each other yet be safe. Wire off a section place food and water in it for them. It takes awhile for older birds to accept newer ones. If you got off to a rough start you can always start over.

 

[melissadennis0]

Newer to chickens but looking for suggestions. Having difficulty integrating 4 hens into existing flock. All are under 7 months of age and relatively the same size. Two hens nearly scalped two of my newbie hens today. I separated them and brought them back into their brooder and clean their wounds . Just wondering if anybody has used these peepers and would recommend them ? Are they safe? Can they still eat and drink with them?

New hens were added at night while the others were asleep. Attached are pics of our setup.

 

[MissChick@dee]

Yes, it was suggested to add them at night and many claimed this would make it a seemless transition. Didn’t work

Nope....it’s a process I kept mine separated for a month.
By the time I removed the wire separations they laid on the ground like it was a invisible line lol.
Safety first. Provide obstacles that the younger birds can use to get away once you reintroduce them. I put large tree stumps in the corners of my run so one could not get cornered and trapped. They can jump up and run using these too. You could try short periods of time while you’re right there too. Arm yourself with a spray bottle set on high. It’s a lot quicker than you could ever be. Give them time through the fence first. Don’t rush it. Best wishes

 

[Wyorp Rock]

New hens were added at night while the others were asleep. Attached are pics of our setup.

Thank you. Just told hubby he will need to enlarge the cage area and put it side by side and we will slowly work them together, hopefully

Sounds like a plan! Placing them side by side is a good idea, you can always leave that added space to give them more room. It would also come in handy if you find that you need to separate birds.
I am curious, I see a pool(?) in the chicken run, do you have ducks too?

 

[melissadennis0]

Nope....it’s a process I kept mine separated for a month.
By the time I removed the wire separations they laid on the ground like it was a invisible line lol.
Safety first. Provide obstacles that the younger birds can use to get away once you reintroduce them. I put large tree stumps in the corners of my run so one could not get cornered and trapped. They can jump up and run using these too. You could try short periods of time while you’re right there too. Arm yourself with a spray bottle set on high. It’s a lot quicker than you could ever be. Give them time through the fence first. Don’t rush it. Best wishes

Definitely going to put up a divided of sorts and give them a few weeks to adjust. I had a lot of suggestions to try the adding them at night method but I don’t think I will ever try that again after seeing how the others reacted. Thank you for your help and suggestions.

 

[melissadennis0]

Sounds like a plan! Placing them side by side is a good idea, you can always leave that added space to give them more room. It would also come in handy if you find that you need to separate birds.
I am curious, I see a pool(?) in the chicken run, do you have ducks too?

No ducks, well in the actual two ponds behind our house yes, but not in the chickens area. This pic was from the summer so I would put a very small amount of water in it and clean it daily Incase it got too hot out so that they could cook themselves if they needed to.