very low-tech integration

[rosemarythyme]

I built a small safety space under the laying boxes in my coop. Mine were 6 weeks when I brought them out. (My family got attached to having them inside)

The littles use the top of the small run to eat and drink the bigs do not bother them up there.

Great idea - and I love the chick size pop door. You could've even raised the littles right in there if you wanted to. I was too attached to having the nest boxes at ground level though at one point I thought of building them up on a bench, and using the space under for chicks or feeders or storage.

I'd heard that adults were less likely to bother eating chick feed/water on a platform, so I turned the top of my chicken jungle gym into the feed and water area for the chicks. My hens do go up there, but are somewhat reluctant to do so, so it really does seem to help with providing the chicks some protection while they eat.

 

[deepbluesea]

I built a small safety space under the laying boxes in my coop. Mine were 6 weeks when I brought them out. (My family got attached to having them inside)
View attachment 1477315 View attachment 1477316 View attachment 1477318 View attachment 1477319 View attachment 1477320 It will all come out or go back in really easy for future use.

Yes I clean the coop, but not today before I took pics

The littles use the top of the small run to eat and drink the bigs do not bother them up there.

Interesting that the bigs won't go up to eat their food--thanks!

 

[tjo804]

Interesting that the bigs won't go up to eat their food--thanks!

I think it has to do with breed and age. But it could be they checked it out and decided they like theirs better.

 

[aart]

Interesting that the bigs won't go up to eat their food--thanks!

I find that odd too....but have never tried it.
....and I feed all of them the same thing.
I do see that the biggest interest for the bigs entering the chicks area is the feeder and waterer.

 

[tjo804]

The littles are still on grower. The Bigs on layer. I serve FF once a day and have dry available always.

I am wondering now, why. I have added news to existing flock before I have never had a traumatic situation except with too many Roos. Cockerels become Cocks, but until then, they pretty much stay out of the way. I guess I have been lucky.

 

[aart]

I am wondering now, why. I have added news to existing flock before I have never had a traumatic situation

Maybe you have more space?

 

[tjo804]

Not sure. We designed it for 16 - 20 hens years ago.
I had 8 hens and 2 Roos. One roo passed so I added 6 chicks @ 6 weeks old. I think 3 pullets, 3 cockerels

No squabbles just yet.

 

[aart]

We designed it for 16 - 20 hens

What does that mean in feet by feet?
Do you free range or have a(how big) run?

 

[tjo804]

The coop is 8x8 attached run 8x36 ft i think. I let them out to free range but not as much as I used too because of neighbor dog attack. So they are only out when I am.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I find that odd too....but have never tried it.
....and I feed all of them the same thing.
I do see that the biggest interest for the bigs entering the chicks area is the feeder and waterer.

I feed all the same right now as well... managed to time it really well and used up the last of the layer feed about a week after getting chicks.

I think part of the reason why elevating the chick's feed station helps is because the adults are lazy. THe hens know there's food up on the platform, but they seem to think about it and often don't bother. Helps that I put the hens food out first, as a distraction, before putting down the chick portion. Since it's all the same feed there's no extra incentive for the hens to eat where the chicks are at.