Rough Integration :/

[mamamage]

so i have some 3 month olds integrated in with my 9 month olds, and i did the puppy playpen method for a few days. when i let them all out together the bigs did totally fine with the littles! they did the normal pecking (nothing too serious) and seemed to not mind the babies at all really. but the thing is, is that i can't seem to get the littles to go around the bigs without screaming and flapping and causing a huge scene! they act like my bigger hens are going to kill them! and my older hens are standing there like did i do something wrong? will they come around and calm down around my bigger girls? should i put them back in the pen and give them more time?

 

[Mosey2003]

It will take a long time. Firstly, at three months old, the littles are still very immature, they're going to be scared of mature birds, period. Secondly, I think the separate space together method is usually done for a number of weeks, not days. Thirdly, it takes time for the lower birds to truly get fit in and mingling well. If you have the room, I might pen them back up for another month or so. If they're all getting to the feeder enough and getting enough to eat and drink, you could leave them as they are if they aren't getting picked at too badly.

 

[sourland]

Just monitor to assure that the older birds do not injure them. It actually sounds as if you are quite lucky with your integration.

 

[mamamage]

thanks for your responses!! they really do have a lot of room in their run and i'm still letting the bigs free range a few hours a day while i'm outside doing "chores". if they're not hurting each other (which they haven't so far) i guess i'll just let them be! they stay on separate sides of the run basically with their own water, and i go in 2-3 times a day to make sure the littles get their own time to eat without being bothered. i'll update in a few days!

 

[mamamage]

 

[mamamage]

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

I wouldn't worry too much if the bigger guys aren't pecking the little boogers to death. I have a hen who is a real B**** to my little ones and they would avoid her like the plague, it sucks because even with one mean chicken it kinda ruins the whole dynamics of the flock..... like everyone's not at peace enjoying chicken life together in harmony. You have room for 1 more?

 

[RoosterML]

Sounds like everything is going fine, plenty of room is key which it sounds like you have. I wouldn't separate again unless things are real bad. They will remain two separate groups for weeks if not months. Happy new years!!

 

[llombardo]

Tell me about it. It took mine 6 months and the younger ones will still sometimes run and scream for nothing.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I agree with the others, it sounds like things are going pretty well actually. Some pecking is normal, as long as no real damage is done, let them sort it out amongst themselves. Don't force them to mingle or force the littles into where the bigs are hanging out, they'll be 2 separate subflocks for months.