Integrating pullets

[abigailb]

Hi there- I would like to encourage integration of my six 16-week-old pullets with my four 3&4-year-old hens. I have read a lot of threads on here which have been very useful, just looking to describe our specific situation and get some advice. Our setup is a long run with the main coop at one end and a nursery coop at the other end. There is a dividing screen in the run. The pullets have been in the nursery coop for over 2 months (they started in brooder in the garage). Everyone free ranges together during the day (generally staying in their two separate groups, but sometimes mingling a bit). One of the older hens is definitley much more agressive with the pullets than the others. When dusk falls, the hens go up into the main coop, and the pullets go into the nursery coop on their own (they have never tried to go into the big coop at night even though they have access, and have ocassionally exlpored it during the day). At 16 weeks, they are definitley starting to approach the height of the older hens. Due to the fact that the nursery coop and run area is so much smaller than the main coop and run, I am starting to get antsy about getting them integrated. Since they are currently free ranging so much, the space isn't a big issue, but we will be going away for a couple of days at the end of the month, which typically would mean no free range access, and I would feel bad with the relatively small amount of space that the pullets have. I know that making sure there is an additional feeding station will be key, and I've read that hiding places is good, although this is somewhat difficult due to the nature of our space and the fact that they are nearly all the same size. How can I encourage the pullets to start sleeping- ideally roosting- in the main coop? There is plenty of roosting bar space for them in there. Should I do the night time switch and then set my alarm for dawn to make sure all he!! doesn't break lose once daylight comes in? We have an auto-door on the main coop for run access. I am mostly nervous about the one mean older hen. For the most part I would say they all act like friendly neighbors, but definitley running two flocks at this point. I am hoping the fact that there are more young ones than older ones will help. Also, not sure if this is relevant, but one of the pullets *may* be a roo, but I don't know for sure yet. My thought is that as soon as I committ to the integration, I will remove the divider screen, so they will all have access to entire run, and remove the nursery ramp and close the pop door, turing it back into storage. My thought was I need to go cold turkey on this or they will just keep trying to go in there. The only other time I integrated new chicks I had a broody mother hen raising them, so it was super easy. Thanks so much for reading and for any tips you can provide!

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Hi there- I would like to encourage integration of my six 16-week-old pullets with my four 3&4-year-old hens. I have read a lot of threads on here which have been very useful, just looking to describe our specific situation and get some advice. Our setup is a long run with the main coop at one end and a nursery coop at the other end. There is a dividing screen in the run. The pullets have been in the nursery coop for over 2 months (they started in brooder in the garage). Everyone free ranges together during the day (generally staying in their two separate groups, but sometimes mingling a bit). One of the older hens is definitley much more agressive with the pullets than the others. When dusk falls, the hens go up into the main coop, and the pullets go into the nursery coop on their own (they have never tried to go into the big coop at night even though they have access, and have ocassionally exlpored it during the day). At 16 weeks, they are definitley starting to approach the height of the older hens. Due to the fact that the nursery coop and run area is so much smaller than the main coop and run, I am starting to get antsy about getting them integrated. Since they are currently free ranging so much, the space isn't a big issue, but we will be going away for a couple of days at the end of the month, which typically would mean no free range access, and I would feel bad with the relatively small amount of space that the pullets have. I know that making sure there is an additional feeding station will be key, and I've read that hiding places is good, although this is somewhat difficult due to the nature of our space and the fact that they are nearly all the same size. How can I encourage the pullets to start sleeping- ideally roosting- in the main coop? There is plenty of roosting bar space for them in there. Should I do the night time switch and then set my alarm for dawn to make sure all he!! doesn't break lose once daylight comes in? We have an auto-door on the main coop for run access. I am mostly nervous about the one mean older hen. For the most part I would say they all act like friendly neighbors, but definitley running two flocks at this point. I am hoping the fact that there are more young ones than older ones will help. Also, not sure if this is relevant, but one of the pullets *may* be a roo, but I don't know for sure yet. My thought is that as soon as I committ to the integration, I will remove the divider screen, so they will all have access to entire run, and remove the nursery ramp and close the pop door, turing it back into storage. My thought was I need to go cold turkey on this or they will just keep trying to go in there. The only other time I integrated new chicks I had a broody mother hen raising them, so it was super easy. Thanks so much for reading and for any tips you can provide!

Welcome to BYC! Pictures of your setup please.

 

[Harmony Fowl]

It sounds as though you've done everything right already. It sounds like they are integrated, actually. In my flock, additions in the form of young chicks are common. I integrate these days at eight weeks, but have done as young as three weeks with a different setup. It's really common for groups of youngster to form their own mini flock within the flock, forage together, sleep together and yes, slightly separately from the others. In my experience, this comes to an end as they hit sexual maturity. With maturity comes the confidence to participate in the flock fully, claim a sleeping roost and stand up to others at the food bowl. I'm sure you will soon start to see your younger birds joining the flock, though it may be a couple of months before they all do completely.

So in your situation, I would remove that divider screen and close off that nursery space. I would start with placing the pullets into the adult coop one night. The following night, they are likely not to go in on their own and try to sleep in the run since their comfortable spot will be unavailable. Keep putting them in at night, it's likely to only take a few nights before they do it on their own. I wouldn't consider any of this "cold turkey." You've done great with integration! This is just the final step, the full commitment. You took great care with the earlier steps so this could happen.

As far as hiding places go, it doesn't have to be fancy. I have a random, oddly shaped run, but one of my favorite things to do is lean extra pallets against this or that. It creates extra shade and allows the chickens to escape from one another visually. I think it also helps lower stress from being on display all the time; I've found chickens don't handle being in a fishbowl-type environment well. They like to feel a little secluded and such small, visual barriers go a long way.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Should I do the night time switch and then set my alarm for dawn to make sure all he!! doesn't break lose once daylight comes in?

At 16 weeks they are not sexually mature yet so don't expect them to be all buddy buddy with your hens but that is what I do, typically at 12 weeks. If your coop is as big as you imply I would not expect to have major issues but be there at daylight until you are comfortable they are OK. What I usually find is the young ones on the roosts while the adults are on the coop floor.

It is probably not necessary but you might consider resetting that auto door for close to daybreak.

Good luck!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'd close off access to the nursery coop, which will force the pullets to either follow the adults in, or just sit in front of their old coop at dusk, at which point you can just manually place them inside the main coop and shut the door.

Does your auto door work on light or timer? If light, you don't need to worry about making adjustments. If timer, you can set the timer for as close to sunrise as possible, so the pullets can run out early if needed.

Also, not sure if this is relevant, but one of the pullets *may* be a roo, but I don't know for sure yet.

You can post photos of him/her on https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/what-breed-or-gender-is-this.15/ - at that age sexing should be fairly simple.

 

[ChicNmom]

I have a similar set up. Mine are getting along in the yard. At some point I will open the door between sections and let them choose where they sleep. It usually takes a few weeks for the new girls to decide they want to be in the big girl area. Then they work it out.

I've done it several times with very few problems.

 

[aart]

How big are coops and runs, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help here.

Where are the feed and water?

 

[abigailb]

Hi everyone! Thank you so much for your helpful replies. I wanted to provide some photos and answers to the questions you have asked, and also provide an update and hopefully get some additional advice. The run is about 26' long and 3'-4' wide. The main coop is 8'X5-6'. I have the auto door configured to run on a timer. I have two sources of water in the run for a total of 5 nipples. There are two large no-waste feeders in the coop and a smaller one in the coop that only the pullets can fit their head in (but will outgrow shortly). Yesterday we removed the divider screen from the run (they were free ranging but came in and out of run a bit during this time without a problem). I set the automatic pop door to open at the break of dawn, and after dark last night moved the 6 young ones to the main coop and closed the pop door to the nursery coop. When I came out this morning, it was as I had feared- the other 3 hens were fine with the younger ones, but the mean one was basically terrorizing them- chasing them around in the run. The run is relatively narrow so they keep trying to get away from her but running into each other. They were of course upset that they couldn't get into their nursery coop. I immediately opened the door for free ranging and then all was fine. I saw her give some nasty pecks, but at this point no blood or missing feathers or anything like that. Should I give this a bit more time? Or try to immediately separate the bully hen? Also, was interested to read ChicNMom's post above...if I could leave the run divider out but still let the chicks have their own coop for a while that would be great and I think would help with the mean one, but my fear is that they would never start going into the main coop. Thoughts? So frustrating that it is just this one hen...I can see that all would be totally peaceful if it wasn't for her! As soon as I post this I am heading over to the gender forum to post pics of my GLW to get votes on pullet or roo! Thank you!
The nursery coop end:

The bully:

Some of the pullets:

Nursery coop at the close end, main coop at the far end:

Side view:

Chick feeder:

Main feeders:

Main coop:

Water:

One view of inside the run:

 

[PDXJULES]

I like the current setup very much...and it looks like you may have fewer nest box battles with the 2 nesting areas. Doubting that roosting together will work for space, pecking order all in one of the structures. They need space to stretch and flap wings inside, and it can get very warm with a bunch of bodies camping in one small structure. If it ain't broke, maybe don't fix it, except to remove or make an adjustment to the dividing screen so they can choose to explore the other areas? Adding more perches (that don't attract red mites) would be enjoyed by all. Sawhorses from the garage work great for our flock.

 

[Penpal]

Off subject.

Please break your posts down into bite size pieces. Your original post could be broken up into 5 paragraphs. One long post can be difficult to read, especially for we older folk.

Thanks.