Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[debbiedoobs]

Hi all, I have 6 older silkie hens and 14 silkie chicks ( 15 weeks old) that I'm trying to introduce to one another. The chicks have been outside on the opposite side of the older chickens coop and run for about 6 weeks now, we joined the runs together with a pathway but they're not mingling. Every time we have tried to put them together one of the bigger chicks/ cockerels have pinned down one of the older ones and hurt them. So I have now blocked it until it's better. When I let them out into the garden the chicks stay at their side and the hens stay at theirs. I've tried various things such as bringing chicks up or hens down but they just go back to their own side.

Does anybody have any ideas?

[SueChick]

Possibly try something really tasty like mealworms for them both to forage together for?

 

Introductions are horrid - mine have been together for 2 weeks now and still squabble!

 

Good luck.

[sjp]

let them work it out by themselves at their own pace as long as no blood is drawn then it ok plus a 15 week old cockerel is going to be a pest until he learn some manners or one of the older girls belts him a couple of times, even then he might not learn.

it'll take anything up to 3 months before the 2 groups are one even then there will a few that still stay in the old groups as long as they are happy and contented that's all that really matters

[debbiedoobs]

They are all very much contented and a little too spoilt!

I've tried mealworms a few times and they just eat them and again just go back to their own side. Perseferance it is then

[mullethunter]

How did it go? Thinking of having another go with my Pekins and Wyandottes before I buy the Pekins another house now the Pekins are 21 weeks - a bit scared for them though

[mollyripkim]

I would be interested to see how it went too as I have 12 week old chicks that eventually will need to be mingled with the older group. In separate runs at the moment within sight of each other. Any advice would be great.

[debbiedoobs]

Hiya, the chicks are now completely mingling with the bigger girls. So after about 6 weeks or so of having the runs connected they are pretty much one group. Having 1 of the chick cockerels that took a bit of a fancy to the big girls helped immensely The chicks are now 20 weeks and we know (think) we have 5 cockerels and 9 hens. It has taken a lot of perserverance and patience. As the chicks follow me wherever I go I sat with the big girls daily so they would follow, they didnt fight that much and it was mainly with the big girls and the boys. They bairly fight at all now

[mollyripkim]

That sounds good, how old were they when you let them meet for the first time. Mine still seem too little at 12 weeks but will have to do it eventually. I guess as yours are older they are on layers now, mine are still on growers.

My chicks follow me too, I love it.

[mullethunter]

Thank you. I'm going to take the plunge at the end of the week

[debbiedoobs]

I love it how the follow me too, as soon as they hear my voice they come running, if I sit down they all crowd around me,or sit on me.

The chicks met the big girls when they were about 8 weeks, only supervised though. It's hard work but it's worth it when you see them digging and cuddling up with each other.

[mullethunter]

First day back out free ranging after worming today, and the four of them seem a lot better together. Much less bullying from Amy so much less cowering on the run roof by Bernie and Shelley. I'm not counting any chickens ( ) just yet but I am daring to hope just a little bit