Struggling to get new chickens integrated- HELP!

[kostfarm]

Do you guys think putting hard wire cloth on the floor of the chicken run is an ok idea? Basically putting it underneath all the leaves and stuff to create a barrier? Or do we need to dig it in to the ground?

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Its instinctive for these birds to challenge anything that they perceive to be a threat. The threat euth birds is food & water. When integrating two flocks, aggression is spread out. But when the integration is one bird into a flock, agression is focussed. Its always best to try and figure out a way to integrate groups....

 

[Wood Dude]

W are about where you are in the integration of new chicks two w older birds. Our next move Is to introduce the younger birds to the coop Any words of wisdom?

 

[kostfarm]

Built a larger coop and am securing it like Fort Knox. We still don't know who the murderer is. Weasel is our best guess.

 

[kostfarm]

W are about where you are in the integration of new chicks two w older birds. Our next move Is to introduce the younger birds to the coop  Any words of wisdom?

Just be patient and give them plenty of space to hag out. Keep an eye on them too and make sure they are eating and drinking

 

[oldhen2345]

Well I have created an absurd mess. I lost all my adult standard size chickens but 1. I bought 2 eight week old chicks that will grow standard size. Poor Alberta has been alone for a couple of weeks while the new ones acclimated. they have gotten along fine- except at bedtime. The new chicks just jump up on some cinder blocks I have out by the door of the run. They won't go into the coop on their own. I pick them up and put them in there every night- and they stay til morning. They just won't go in by themselves.They seem to be waiting for me to carry them to bed every night. How do I make them go in by themselves? they eat out of the same feeder, drink from the same waterer as Alberta. Just don't go in the coop at night. I worry about predators- like owls getting them if I just leave them on the cinder block. What do I do now?

 

[Rock Home Isle]

So my new pullets were putting themselves to bed every night and all was well. Then one night, none of them would go in the coop. I had to put them to bed. Turns out, the big girls had gone to roost first that night and the pullets, wouldn't go in. So I pulled the older layers out, and as I did this pullets marched right in and roosted.

Your problem, might be Alberta...if she is already in the coop when the little ones are ready to roost, they may just decide to sit outside.

You might have to pickup Alberta around bed time, and hold her till all the little ones have gone to bed, then let Alberta go to roost after the pullets.

 

[oldhen2345]

Thank you. I thought I had messed up their little minds. I will definitely try your idea.

 

[Wood Dude]

I started putting all the chickens in the coop at night. The little ones went kicking and squawking. The big girl went in without a fuss.

Now they go in at night on their own.

PROBLEM SOLVED!

 

[oldhen2345]

I put the little ones in the coop before Alberta went in for the night.. Tonight the little goofs went in all by themselves. Hope this is a trend. Thanks to all for the advise.