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

 

[BigJ111]

Following that thread as I'm experiencing integration issues for the first time (the previous times all went smoothly). The main issue on my side is that i'm unable to modify the mobile coop in a way the young ones could roost separately (i live in a cold weather area, moving the mobile coop inside the greenhouse for the colder months) or even enter the coop without passing close to the older ones. The young ones refuse to go within the coop by themselves, for 3 weeks now, because when they did the first time, they were 'greeted' by pecks on the head from an older girl. That older girl keeps regularly trying to peck at them when i place the young ones inside the coop myself. Anyone been in that kind of situation? I have no idea for how long i should keep placing the young ones myself inside (they know what to do, i think they are just scared to go inside) and how to keep the 'bully' under control. The young ones are about 19 weeks now.

 

[ChickenGamma]

I'm going through this right now. This helped me not feel like a horrible chicken mama. I just have to let them go through it. !!!

Hello. I have a rooster and 7 older hens and 10 pullets hatched July 2. Since early September they have lived next to each other so they see but can't have contact. Aren't the new pullets probably old enough that we can merge flocks soon? I do want them all sleeping in the coop before winter.

 

[Mrs. K]

One problem that gets over looked is territory. Chickens are very territorial and when you keep them separate, you reinforce that.

Try flipping them, put the young birds where the old birds are, and vice versa. This will let them explore without being chased, eat out of the feeder and be in the coop.

The thing is, often times, people just open them up or plop them in there, and the chicks KNOW they are in the wrong place, and nothing brings out aggression in chickens like timidity in a bird.

Two or three days will really help. Then close to dark, combine them.

Mrs K