Trouble integrating bantams

[maidenwolfx80]

I have a mixed age flock the last chickens I brought in 1 welsummer hen for my rooster, and 2 beautiful d'uccle mille fleur

They were 6 weeks when I got them they are now 11 weeks and still hiding under the little hideaway mini roost/ladder I have for them. Every time they come out into the run they instantly get chased back in. If they are at the feeder and another chicken walks in they get scared off the food. They dont come out of the coop. When I let my chickens out to free range in the evening I will bring those 3 into the run so they can have some time in the dirt, I just dont know what else I can do to get everyone to get along, I never had this much trouble before. I guess that goes to show that its not text book every situation calls for different approaches.. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated I want my babies to be healthy and strong so next season they can make great babies with my d'uccle roo and not have to hide in the corner anymore.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Put extra feeders and waterers around so they can't be kept from eating/drinking. Other than that, it will just take time for the others to accept the newbies.

 

[wastintime202]

x2

 

[maidenwolfx80]

Its been 5 weeks, is this normal? I figured they would at least be out in the yard by now.

 

[Happy Chooks]

No, it shouldn't take that long.

Try throwing scratch out and pull the newbies out of the coop. The scratch keeps them busy so there is not as much fighting. Do this every day for a week or so and you should see things improve. At first they will immediately run back in when you put them out, but then gradually, they will stay out longer. I had to do this with a broody that had trouble reintegrating and it worked really well.

 

[TXchickmum]

We purchased 3 standard chicks and 4 bantams within a week of each other. -kept them in separate brooders, but would take them out (with supervision) to scratch around together for a brief time. The bantams always got pecked/chased. We constructed two coops for each "flock". They were let out to roam about, together. At first - 4 weeks or so - they would stay in separate flocks while in the yard. Finally, they began to roam around as a single flock. Every so often, one of the bantam pullets will get a quick nip from one of the standard pullets, but it isn't anything significant (just a warning for space). At dusk, the two flocks will file into their respective coops to roost. (We recently purchased 4 more standard chicks. -hopefully, by spring we will integrate the entire flock into one large coop!)

-best of luck with your flock, and I think that given a bit more time they will get along. I definitely agree that two feeders/waterers is a good suggestion. We have two of each, and they do separate for eating (aside from one of the bantam cockerels feeding with the 3 standard hens).

 

[maidenwolfx80]

I have 3 feeders and 2 waterers. I make sure the feeders and waterers are spaced out among the run. I do like the idea of throwing scratch or having some way to distract so the bantams can come out. They need to grow and be healthy and not stressed. They arent going to grow properly this way. Maybe when the others free range I could let them into the run and shut the coop door. I'm just concerned that doing so the others wont have a place to run to if they feel scared.

 

[maidenwolfx80]

Well, I did the scratch suggestion plus bringing them out in the run durring free range since the others would be out and not messing with them. I have gotten great results, they will run out of the coop and greet me whenever I go out to check on them (and I do it often) They go take dust baths while everyone free ranges, and last night they came out and played by the ope run door for about 30 mins till someone finally saw them.. I'm so relieved, I love my little milles and want them to be apart of the flock.. Thanks for the tips it has really helped...

 

[Happy Chooks]

I'm so glad it's working.