4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[WitchHazel]

I've read the really helpful articles written on introducing new POL hens, but I need some help as I am going to be collecting some *young* girls tomorrow.

 

I know that I can't attempt to have them all live together until the babies are about 20 week old. I've bought a separate Eglu and run for the babies, as I know they need to be kept separate until they are about 20weeks or so (I probably have tried it a couple of weeks earlier, but xchooks recent experience made me realise this was a no-no)

 

My current two live in a Cube, have a built in run, and free range withing Omlet fencing most of the day, mostly every day.

 

My questions relate to what sort of contact they can have before they reach the right age and size to be introduced to the Cube. I have a garden with some (but not a huge amount) of extra space, so it would be helpful to get them to the free ranging together step as early as possible.

 

If you have some experience of this, I'd really appreciate it if you would look at my plan and tell me what bits I could speed up, and what bits I need to slow down.

 

PLAN A:

Girls arrive aged 14 weeks. 1st week (Jul 4-10), Newbies' Eglu kept totally out of sight of Oldies. Allows for health check, recovering from stress of relocation etc

 

Week 2 Jul 11-17 (start age 15wks, end 16wks), Newbies' Eglu moved to within site of current set up, but completely separate. Eglu will need to move at least once for fresh grass. Newbies not allowed out of Eglu Run.

 

Week 3-4 Jul 18-31 (start age 16wk, end 18wks) Allow Newbies to free range, in a separate area to Oldies.

 

Weeks 5-6 Aug 1-14 (start age 18wks, end 19wks) Allow to free range in adjoining free range areas. Q: Should I feed treats along perimeter from beginning, or only when towards end of second week??)

 

Week 7-8 Aug 15-28 (start 19 wks, end 20wks)supervised free ranging together, starting with just a short period of time, under supervision and gradually increasing Q: Is this too soon?

 

Week 9 Aug 29 (age 20 wks) begin integration process for sleeping together

 

What do you think?

[Snowy]

I think that sounds absolutely fine Hazel - I introduced 12 week olds to my flock along a similar pattern. The only problem that I found was that when freeranging seperately, the youngsters would hop over the netting to be with the bigger girls! They were fine when they were out together, the worst happens when they are in confined quarters. You just need to be observant and ready to step in to intervene. There is always going to be some pecking once they are together, but usually just the routine, "I'm top chicken here" stuff

[Egluntyne]

Sounds like you have given the matter a great deal of thought.

 

If it were me...I'd not integrate them fully until at least 22 weeks.

[beach chick]

you sound much more organised than I was... there's a 'diary' type thread of mine called introduction logistics that could be useful to read?

we are now 6 weeks on, and I have successfully integrated 2 18mth old girls, 2 roughly 20 week girls and 4 roughly 13 week girls - all one happy flock now, still living in 2 separate eglus but all within omlet netting all day. once I get my electric fence, they will all move in together permanently (with both eglus obv). hope that's helpful!

 

EDITED to say I've bumped it for you.

[alih]

it sound like a vyer good plan. The slower the better from my own experience, which is much less tham other people's. I am mid(almost finished) integration of my 2 x year old girls with 2 now 20ish weekers. I kept them in separate sleeping quarters but in full view of each other ( the bruisers ranging around the run with the babies in) from 18 weeks for a week, then free ranging around the garden together but not confined together at all and the last few days confined into the netted area around the run together and sleeping in the eglu together at night. There has been the odd case of chasing and pecking which still occurs but the differences are subtle ones - ranign closer together, not chasing EVERY time they get near, less pecking as they go past etc. so it seems so far to be going well. I have not yet confined them to the run together though that is the next stage. This means gettting up at 5.30 but woudl rather have that for another few days than have hurt or scared chooks. The advice on the forum has been great and I really agree with slowly slowly as a philosophy, however tempting it may be to move more quickly. Good luck - I'm sure it will be a great experience

[WitchHazel]

Thanks for your replies, and thank you for bumping your post, beach.

 

I'll bear in mind your caution about waiting until 22 weks £gluntine. I'll start along the proposed plan and see how it goes. I guess I'll get an idea of how it's going to go when I see how they react to each other ant the earlier intro stages,

 

Thanks again