So far so good.. I think... Wondering if subflocks will combine on their own into the main coop?

[bayareapilot]

Well so far so good (I think) . The Sapphire Gems will be 12 weeks old on this coming Wednesday. As I've observed in the past the immature pullets remain more of a subflock. So far the regular flock (with their rooster) are in the main coop and my Sapphire Gems go to their temporary (I hope) mini-coop. When out in the large run area the interactions go fairly well (with the SGs getting an occasional poke from one of the hens). The rooster (Sandy) ignores them most of the time, but occasionally gives them a brief chase which leaves me scratching my head - the only thing I can figure is that he is just posturing (???) He doesn't seem intent on hurting them. I think their running triggers his desire to briefly chase and that is all and it is over with.

So, here is my question.... I'm more a little nervous about just placing them in the main coop at night in a couple of weeks from this Wednesday when they reach 14 weeks (not that far away). I started wondering if the sneak them in, in the night, approach was the only way. I found myself wondering the 'littles' will eventually head over to the main coop from their temp mini coop, on their own? I saw a post on this website (I forgot by whom it was written), where he/she mentioned that eventually all flocks (main flock and the subflock) will gradually merge together in the main coop on their own?

If the latter is true then that would seem to be the least stressful for all, integration into the main coop? Part of me likes the idea (for obvious reasons - worry worry worry) but the other part was wondering if it was also equally possible the 'littles' would never leave the temp mini coop on their own?

What say y'all?

 

[Perris]

In my experience they will integrate on their own and in their own time, but I think flock size matters: a max of around 20 birds seems to be common in studies of free-living flocks (and has been my experience too). A new flock forms around one of the subordinate roosters if it gets too big for everyone's comfort.

 

[aart]

What say y'all?

Have the littles ever been in the main coop at all?
Is there a separate roost for them?

You could block the older birds out of the main coop and let the littles check it out without being harassed.

You could put the littles in the coop after dark, then be down there at first light to make sure no blood flies.

 

[bayareapilot]

Have the littles ever been in the main coop at all?
Is there a separate roost for them?

You could block the older birds out of the main coop and let the littles check it out without being harassed.

You could put the littles in the coop after dark, then be down there at first light to make sure no blood flies.

They have ventured into it once or twice, but not with any regularity. There are multiple roosting bars they could have all to their own in the coop.

As to the last line of your reply - the 'blood flying' is what I'm trying to avoid.

 

[Mrs. K]

Just wait, eventually one will decide to follow the others in, especially if their coop is really a bit small. When you get two or three that have made it across, then just shut up the little coop. You might check at dark that night, if the others did not go in, then toss them in there. One night should do it, but check to make sure.

It is the easiest way, and it will work.

Mrs K

 

[bayareapilot]

Just wait, eventually one will decide to follow the others in, especially if their coop is really a bit small. When you get two or three that have made it across, then just shut up the little coop. You might check at dark that night, if the others did not go in, then toss them in there. One night should do it, but check to make sure.

It is the easiest way, and it will work.

Mrs K

I like this approach a lot. Should work well because the mini Coop is just that. Seems a better way to work with the process rather than imposing it based on some arbitrary timeline. Many thanks! this is what I was kind of hoping for

 

[bayareapilot]

Well so far so good (I think) . The Sapphire Gems will be 12 weeks old on this coming Wednesday. As I've observed in the past the immature pullets remain more of a subflock. So far the regular flock (with their rooster) are in the main coop and my Sapphire Gems go to their temporary (I hope) mini-coop. When out in the large run area the interactions go fairly well (with the SGs getting an occasional poke from one of the hens). The rooster (Sandy) ignores them most of the time, but occasionally gives them a brief chase which leaves me scratching my head - the only thing I can figure is that he is just posturing (???) He doesn't seem intent on hurting them. I think their running triggers his desire to briefly chase and that is all and it is over with.

So, here is my question.... I'm more a little nervous about just placing them in the main coop at night in a couple of weeks from this Wednesday when they reach 14 weeks (not that far away). I started wondering if the sneak them in, in the night, approach was the only way. I found myself wondering the 'littles' will eventually head over to the main coop from their temp mini coop, on their own? I saw a post on this website (I forgot by whom it was written), where he/she mentioned that eventually all flocks (main flock and the subflock) will gradually merge together in the main coop on their own?

If the latter is true then that would seem to be the least stressful for all, integration into the main coop? Part of me likes the idea (for obvious reasons - worry worry worry) but the other part was wondering if it was also equally possible the 'littles' would never leave the temp mini coop on their own?

What say y'all?

UPDATE: The pullets will be 13 weeks old on this Wednesday. Seems to be going well in the run area although the pullets still are in their mini-coop and haven't migrated to the main coop with the rest of the flock.

I think things are going well in terms of their integration with the flock (although they still are very much a 'sub-flock' which I assume will change when they start laying).

The pullets will get an occasional poke from the hens, which seems to be normal.

The question I did have was regarding the rooster. For the most part he seems fine with the pullets being there but infrequently, now and then he'll chase one and give one a poke and that is it. I'm guessing (???) this is just some sort of posturing exercise on his part,,, sort of a 'when I say jump, jump!'. The pullets seem to keep a certain distance from him but don't seem overly concerned about his presence? So, I was just wondering if this is normal for the process, which I'm so far assuming, is 'normal'? BTW come Wednesday they will have been in the large run area together for just about 8 weeks (with a handfull of days of the see but dont' touch method at the beginning of introduction in the main run).

Thanks in advance for any assurances you may all have!

 

[aart]

So, I was just wondering if this is normal for the process, which I'm so far assuming, is 'normal'?

Yep, normal.

 

[Mrs. K]

My pullet slept at the opposite end of the roost, from both the laying hens and my flock master rooster. Last night, I noticed that 3 of the pullets had moved to be right next to him. They are getting close to 4 months.

Mrs K

 

[bayareapilot]

Just wait, eventually one will decide to follow the others in, especially if their coop is really a bit small. When you get two or three that have made it across, then just shut up the little coop. You might check at dark that night, if the others did not go in, then toss them in there. One night should do it, but check to make sure.

It is the easiest way, and it will work.

Mrs K

Just a quick question.... About how old on average are pullets when they start venturing into the main coop on their own, as you mention? Mine will be 15 weeks old this Wednesday and so far they are going into the mini-coop at night and I was just wondering?