For the last few days I have been mixing the two flocks at the end of the day. I am amazed at how well it’s going. This must be the easiest integration yet. The main flock have taken very little notice of the chicks.
The two bigger girls have taken no notice of them at all. Freckles is top serama and can be quite aggressive at times with Dandelion and Cinnamon to keep them in their place and yet she has totally ignored the chicks. I guess she knows they are no threat to her position.
Dandelion and Cinnamon are joint bottom girls and the only ones to occasionally run at the chicks and the chicks just run away. It is always the bottom girls as they must show the new girls that they are below them in the pecking order.
I simply opened up the gates and waited to see what happened. The main flock entered the chicks’ part of the run and the chicks weren’t bothered at all.
All eight girls in shot and no panic
Eight girls are mooching around
The chicks followed Freckles to the end of the run and she ignored them
Freckles seemed determined that she would not even look at them.
All the girls ended up at the bottom of the run
Emerald takes no notice of the chicks
The chicks on the second rung of the ladder
The chicks have now discovered that they can get up on to the roof of their little coop and they have got up to the second and third rungs of the ladder.
I am really pleased with how well the integration is going. If it wasn’t for the two flocks having different food I think they would be ready to mix full time.
We have had the chicks for five weeks this weekend. I thought it would be fun to look back at how much they have grown in that time.
The chicks when we first got them
The chicks in the hamster cage
They have grown so quickly but they still cheap away with baby voices. They are also inseparable. It’s all for one and one for all! I am really happy with the progress.
Click here to see the history of my flock.
I think it’s amazing how much they have changed – they’re really turning into little stunners!! So glad the integration is going well – I know it can be VERY stressful!! xx
They have changed so much. I was surprised how unfazed both sides were at being brought together. It’s totally different from my last integration. xx
Oh, I’m so happy for you. Integration can be so tough. Keep taking it slow and I hope you have this all behind you shortly. Your hens are sooooo darling. You’ve really made me consider bantam chickens. My girls are all HUGE and it definitely takes two hands to lift one of them up.
I will keep taking it slow as it is less stressful. I can hold my seramas in one hand and they are so easy to pick up.
How nice to let them be all together, and no trouble. I am very pleased for you, no stress.
This has been so much easier than I was expecting. I put them together again late afternoon and Cinnamon was the only one to run at them a bit.