Trouble integrating young chickens with slightly older chickens

[Sara H.]

Nice to know we're not alone! Lol. Things are getting better for us here. There is still a little chasing, but we haven't seen pecking in a while. The littles are much more brave now and didn't spend all day in the coop. Like you said, it's a much longer, more complicated process than we expected! Hang in there!

I'm glad it gets better! So, was it a couple months? Or longer? I'm just wondering if it will be OK by the time the young ones start laying - about 8-10 weeks yet. If it could all be worked out by then, I'd be a very happy chicken mama! LOL

 

[Jenny Sampson]

I'm glad it gets better! So, was it a couple months? Or longer? I'm just wondering if it will be OK by the time the young ones start laying - about 8-10 weeks yet. If it could all be worked out by then, I'd be a very happy chicken mama! LOL

I'm glad it gets better! So, was it a couple months? Or longer? I'm just wondering if it will be OK by the time the young ones start laying - about 8-10 weeks yet. If it could all be worked out by then, I'd be a very happy chicken mama! LOL

's been about a month and a half.

I'm glad it gets better! So, was it a couple months? Or longer? I'm just wondering if it will be OK by the time the young ones start laying - about 8-10 weeks yet. If it could all be worked out by then, I'd be a very happy chicken mama! LOL

It's been about a month and a half I think. We just slowly took away dividers after there was a routine in place. No major issues since! I'd you have space to let them roam, this seemed to help too. We let the "big girls" it into it yard while we were out there and the first few times forced, but after that they just went, the littles stayed in the run. Eventually we'd come out and they were just all out together. I'm really hoping it's like this for you!!!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'm glad it gets better! So, was it a couple months? Or longer? I'm just wondering if it will be OK by the time the young ones start laying - about 8-10 weeks yet. If it could all be worked out by then, I'd be a very happy chicken mama! LOL

The younger birds don't fully integrate with adults until point of lay, as it's all about hormones and maturity. Until then, as long as they can live in the same space with minimal fuss, that's considered "good enough."

As far as the roosting situation, if at all possible best to have a separate roost for the youngsters. Once they gain enough confidence they can move over with the adults. Like my chicks got cheeky here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ed-store-to-coop.1617102/page-5#post-27710279