Who to integrate

[Stellablue32]

Hi everyone.

I have a flock of 4 adult chickens (one very well behaved and very handsome rooster and three hens). The rooster and one hen are Gauloise Dorée and the other two hens are North Holland Blues (I live in France, so a European flavour to the chickens here!)

I also now have 4 chicks (Gauloise roo x North Holland hen) that are now 8 weeks old. They are currently in a smaller pen inside the main enclosure, and have been there for two weeks. I'm not planning to integrate them fully for another two weeks at least.

Two of the chicks are obviously male, and two are female. I'm going to keep the two males (as long as I can!) and eventually they will move to a separate large enclosure out of sight from the others. My question is whether I should split those two off without integrating into the main flock at all, or if it's better for them to spend a couple of months being taught manners by the older hens, then removing them before they become an issue with the established roo.

Would welcome any advice and thanks in advance.

 

[sourland]

I'd give a try at integrating all four with a Plan B in mind. If problems occur, be prepared to move them to their own pen/area.

 

[Mrs. K]

A lot depends on your set up, space and how that space is arranged. Integration goes best with a lot of clutter in the run so that birds can get out of sight and multiple feed bowls. If you are least bit short on space, I would separate sooner than later.

I frequently have had a mature rooster and cockerel chicks in a flock. It works just fine until it doesn't. One needs to be very aware - and one really needs plan B set up and ready to go. It doesn't work to wait for the wreck to start building.

But I think your question is their success in life going to be due to either being separated from the flock, or integrated into the flock. IMO either scenario has equal chance of succeeding, which ever works best with you. I find that about 12 weeks is where you really begin to need to separate them, but some can go longer, some cannot.

However, not all roosters get along, not all bachelor pens work. A lot depends on the individual aspect of the birds.

Wait - I think you said they are 8 weeks, you are going to wait 2 more weeks...they will be 10 weeks - you know, I think I would just separate them from the get go. Maybe even before that - as they might start harassing your pullets soon, especially if they are in a small cage.

Mrs K

 

[Stellablue32]

Thank you for your thoughts. I really am in two minds!

Their enclosure is large (15m x 15m or more) and there is plenty of clutter! Here are the parents with their 4 babies in the background.