This is my house

[KimberCK]

We started small and 2 1/2 yrs ago got 3 chicks and 2 guineas. The chicks were from our local feed store and were a Black Sex Link, New Hampshire Red and an Americana and of course the 2 guineas. Predators got the Americana, NHR and one guinea all different in different situations..so sad but that left us with my black sex link (Blackie) and one female guinea who were BEST of friends. Never more than a few feet apart. I got 8 more chicks a year ago and everyone got along fair enough but Blackie never completely warmed up to the new girls. In August a bobcat got Guinea. As sad as that was I hoped that maybe Blackie would warm up more to the “new” girls. I have a coop that has a 10 x 10 pen attached. I put up perches in the run for all the girls to use and they all, including Blackie love them. I noticed over the warm/hot summer months the younger girls preferred to sleep in the run on the perches. I assumed it was because it was hot and they wanted more space but this past week we had our first “cold” (High 30’s-Low 40’s) night. Blackie wouldn’t let any of the other girls in the coop. I’ve tried several things but she’s not having them roost in her coop, period. They all share the nesting boxes in the coop and get along fine but when it comes to night time, that’s her house and she’s not sharing. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get everyone living together? I also have 8 new 2 week olds that will need to join, the hopefully happy family, in the future and I’d like if I didn’t have to have a separate coop just for Blackie.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Photos of coop, inside (roost area) and out? Measurements of coop area would help. Might need to remove Blackie for a few days and let the younger birds have the coop, then bring her back and reintegrate her.

Are you still free ranging or planning to expand the run? If I understand correctly you have Blackie, 8 younger birds and 8 chicks, which is way too many for the run space and you already have integration issues here...

 

[KimberCK]

Actually the month of August was pretty brutal around here. Besides losing Guinea, a raccoon killed one of the younger girls and randomly both RIR’s died a week apart. Tried to ask the hatchery about other reported issues but that’s another subject. So I’ve got 5 younger girls, Blackie-6 total and then the 8 new chicks. I’m working on a plan to expand the coop when it’s time to put the new chicks in with the other girls but I’m hoping to be able to utilize the coop Blackie has claimed as part of that expansion. They free range everyday-most of the day. They’re only in the coop/10 x 10 run at night and then are let out by mid morning until dusk. Funny thing is that Blackie is happy to forage, get treats, and in general be happy with everyone until it’s time to roost at night...

 

[rosemarythyme]

Sorry to hear about the losses. The free ranging will help a lot as far as space. As far as the coop, either expanding it may help out with getting her to learn to share (any big changes helps to reset things) or in the meantime, taking her out for a few days may help take her down a peg while giving the other birds time to get used to using the coop.

 

[pennyJo1960]

okay agree with rosemary completely need to reset the boss

 

[aart]

I’ve got 5 younger girls, Blackie-6 total and then the 8 new chicks. I’m working on a plan to expand the coop when it’s time to put the new chicks in with the other girls but I’m hoping to be able to utilize the coop Blackie has claimed as part of that expansion.

How old, in weeks, are the two groups?
Dimensions and pics of your coop(inside and out) and run would help us help you

Oh, and....Welcome to BYC! @KimberCK
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