debbier Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 My two lots of chooks have been separated by a chicken wire fence for over a week now. I was planning on putting them in together this weekend. They have had a small amount of supervised socialising and the older ones were still bullying the newbies. So, what I was wondering is, when to put the bumper bits on the oldies? A day or so before the newbies come in, or just before, or won't it matter? I was planning on doing this when someone else was around to help in the daytime. so it won't be before saturday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Only if absolutely necessary because of unavoidable bullying rather than as a prevention measure IMHO. There almost certainly will be some fisticuffs but with any luck it will be short-lived. The more space they have the easier it is. An extra feeder and drinker won't go amiss either. Good luck. Fingers crossed. I hate introductions!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 I agree with Jools re the bumper bits. Pecking is only natural when you introduce new ones and usually settles quickly particluarly if they have room to escape and lots of feeders and drinkers to use. How old are the ones you are introducing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Make that three of us. Bumperbits are fantastic when there is intractable bullying, but a bit of grandstanding and argy bargy is natural at the intros stage, and shouldn't really be hindered, as they need to sort the heirarchy out for themselves. A blast from a hosepipe, and making any Miss Bossyboots submit to you, by pressing gently so that she crouches, giving her the message that she isn't top of the pile, you are, is the best way. Boxes and branches to hide in are useful too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbier Posted December 2, 2009 Author Share Posted December 2, 2009 Newbies are around 18 weeks old. Oldies are around 9 months. When they were together there was blood drawn: around their bums (pretty bad), and on the Marans' comb (not so bad). I was prepared for a bit of pecking order argie bargie, but this seemed more than that, though I'm certainly no expert. I was planning on putting some higher perches in, for the youngsters to hopefully escape to, but am worried in case the re-open the wounds on their bums. (edit: forgot to say that I have extra feeders/drinkers, as they are currently split in the run) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurmurf Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 I would have said that a week side-by-side isn't enough really, not when the ages are so different. My experience of intros is that the slower it's done, the better: particularly if you are already getting blood drawn. Are you able to keep them separate but nearby for a few more weeks until they've accepted the presence of each other? Gradually building up contact from visual, to side by side free ranging to joint free ranging spread out over several weeks, before you fully integrate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 I'll second that. They're too young to hold their own yet. If you can possibly keep them apart (but side by side) until the newbies are ready to lay, it will be a whole lot easier all round. It's not impossible to introduce youngsters to older gals, in fact I've just realised I did it a couple of months ago, but I have a cockerel to keep the peace at the first sign of aggro. Wanna borrow him! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbier Posted December 2, 2009 Author Share Posted December 2, 2009 Yes, I think they'd be fine apart. They only have around 2 sq metres of floor space, but that's not so bad as a temporary measure, I don't think? I'd certainly be happier when they can hold their own a bit more. What sort of times would we be talking? They are in a fairly well covered (blankets + waterproofs) dog crate, but it's not as nice as an Eglu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 Maybe I am a little over cautious but on introductions both times I've not let my girls meet until the newbies were 22 weeks old and then only supervised free ranging for a couple of hours at the end of the day. That way they've had about 4 weeks to get to see each other through the mesh. I've not had any nastiness doing it this way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 I agree that they are too young to introduce to the others - they won't stand a chance - keep them apart for a while longer and then take your time with introducing them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 Yes, I think they'd be fine apart. They only have around 2 sq metres of floor space, but that's not so bad as a temporary measure, I don't think? I'd certainly be happier when they can hold their own a bit more. What sort of times would we be talking? They are in a fairly well covered (blankets + waterproofs) dog crate, but it's not as nice as an Eglu You'll notice the point at which they become more confident, it's usually around the time they're getting ready to come into lay. Just a thought, yes, yet another one! Is there any way you could switch them round so the newbies have the des res and the old gals have the temporary home? That way, the newbies are at an advantage when you do amalgamate the flock and you might be able to do it sooner rather than later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbier Posted December 3, 2009 Author Share Posted December 3, 2009 Just a thought, yes, yet another one! Is there any way you could switch them round so the newbies have the des res and the old gals have the temporary home? That way, the newbies are at an advantage when you do amalgamate the flock and you might be able to do it sooner rather than later. I don't see why not, although they may get miffed! I could mix it up a bit, in terms of moving them around fairly easily, I think. I'd just need to maybe make the dog crate a bit more welcoming in terms of a "laying area". The floor area in the restricted bit is as much as they'd get with an Eglu normal run, yet a lot more headroom. The biggest problem for me is getting in and out, as there is no proper door, just chicken wire stapled to a plank with a couple of bungee cords. I have to shimmy in and out. It wiill be so much easier to feed and clean when they are all together! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
