what age do you put the young hens in with the older ones

[cortner1195]

I should mention that the "breeder" I bought them from would not agree that they were rescued. But I couldn't leave them in those conditions.

 

[LaLa Chickie]

Things are looking much better today. Less tormented squawking coming from the coop.

I had to go in last night and pick three of them up and put them on roosts. Then one of the hens started leaning off her perch to peck at a pullet. I picked her up and put her back on the end with her buddies. Once everyone was in place, silence descended immediately. I went to check on the the rescues. One last look in the main coop. One of the pullets had been by herself, had more been joined by her buddy. Everyone had a cuddle for the night.

This morning all three hens laid eggs. They must feel better as no one laid an egg yesterday.

that's great!

 

[cortner1195]

No eggs again today. However, the coop seems calm. All nine pullets settled in for the night on their own for two nights in a row. Life is good.

 

[DeesHens]

The hens are 18 months old now, and experienced layers. I think they were stressed yesterday, trying to bully the pullets. Tonight everyone found their own roost. All is calm in the main coop. I think we are through the worst of this merger. Now, we still face how to get the the rescues integrated. Here is a pic of my 15 1/2week rescue BLRWyandottes, and one Splash Wyandotte.

Enjoyed seeing your Wyandottes. Very nice.
Yeh. celebrating with ya. It is so good when the "worst" of the merger is done. Mine shocked me last night when the youngsters took over my old hen's favorite spot on the roost. Impossible I thought. She must not have been her self cause tonight she is ruling the roost again. LOL
~Dee~

 

[cortner1195]

My girls are on their fifth night in the main coop. I am hoping to let them out for a while tomorrow night. They wanted out for free range time tonight.

Dee,
Thanks, I love my little rescued pullets. So sweet.....

 

[cortner1195]

The girls in the main coop got some free range time lastnight for the first time. Evryone found their way back to the correct spot to roost. Tonight my two RIR hens had one of the pullets trapped under the house. Their teamwork is amazing. One would attack, a nd the little victim would run to the other corner where the other hen was waiting. Jeez. I don't like that they are sucg bullies. I see pics on different forums here where adults and chciks are together. Why am I having so kuch trouble?? I still have the three rescues to integrate. Very frustrated!

Any helpmwould be much appreciated.

 

[cortner1195]

Funny how at your lowest moment something happens that you really need. I went down to close the coop just after full dark. I could only see two chickens on the front perch. There should have been nine pullets there. I could tell that there were more than the usual three hens on the highest perch. I had to run back up to the main house to get a light, and hubby. Seven pullets had taken the prime roosting spot from the three hens. Someone needed to take some control from those bullies! Not sure how that will finish in the morning. It was really something to see those disgruntled hen faces all the way on the other end of the roost from where they usually sleep. I hope that is a changing moment.

 

[DeesHens]

Funny how at your lowest moment something happens that you really need. I went down to close the coop just after full dark. I could only see two chickens on the front perch. There should have been nine pullets there. I could tell that there were more than the usual three hens on the highest perch. I had to run back up to the main house to get a light, and hubby. Seven pullets had taken the prime roosting spot from the three hens. Someone needed to take some control from those bullies! Not sure how that will finish in the morning. It was really something to see those disgruntled hen faces all the way on the other end of the roost from where they usually sleep. I hope that is a changing moment.

Wonderful news! It takes time and ups and downs... but they do establish a type of compatible pecking order eventually usually. Some seem to be more stubborn than others for sure. LOL
~Dee~

 

[troy4]

well my girls are happy happy happy and are getting along very well come to find out my hen hatchjed a roo he is got his crow!he is still young but I put big hens in with him!\

 

[cortner1195]

Update on my integration issues. My three rescue pullets (BLRW's)have remained in the grow out pen adjacent to the main pen. The rooster (Silver Ameracauna) I purchased to help with the integration is young and not quite ready to be the man that I need him to be. He has been housed with the rescue pullets. He doesn't leave the pen during free range time.

Last night we had a huge wind storm, and dust storm. Expecting 60 mph winds. When the storm started we headed down to take the rescue pullets off of their preferred, but unprotected perch, and put them in the dog igloo that is their most secure shelter in the grow out pen. As I entered the pen the wind picked the roof up off their shelter and slammed it back down. Scared me half to death. So, on the spot decision, I moved them to the main coop. I found them a spot on the roosts where they could be together. I set the alarm for 6 am and headed down to check on them. Surprisingly the three adult hens were leaving them alone, but two of my pullets(1GLW, and 1 SLW) were attacking without pause. I eventually lured them out of the pen, and caught the two worst offenders. I moved them to the grow out pen for a couple days with another buddy(1EE). This has left one of my pullets(Glenda) without her best buddy. Glenda the black Australorp has shown herself to be on lowest rung of the pecking order. The rescues were able to stand up to her. They needed someone below them for a little balance. I thought about catching Glenda and moving her to be with her BFF (GLW) in the grow out pen. Maybe this time without her more dominant buddy will make her a little tougher. Time will tell. They can be right next to each other through the wire.

Life is very complex with this crowd. Or, I am making it too complex.