Today I separated the bottom, newer, part of the run. I got the main flock on the patio/path side of the run and then opened the hatch on the new girls part. They now had half the run to explore.
I encouraged them through the hatch to get them started.
The new girls go through the hatch
I had already put one of the wooden blocks here as a step because the new girls are so tiny. I want them to be able to get back through the hatch easily.
They look so tiny out in the bigger part of the run
I will be updating my information on bantam breeds soon but I thought I would just mention that not only are seramas the smallest bantams but they are the smallest chickens in the world.
They stop for a peck along the way
They find the log at the bottom of the run
You can see in this photo that Caramel has pin feathers on her neck. I have just been further researching seramas for the information on my bantam breeds and have just found a fact I didn’t know already. They lay all year round and moult all year round a few feathers at a time. This means we may get eggs through the winter after all.
I had thought that Caramel had stopped laying and started her moult because I have been finding a few feathers from her but I today I also found a few feathers from Pebbles too.
We haven’t had any eggs yet but a change in their lives often causes a break in egg laying so I am not surprised.
And back to their usual end of the run
I was pleased that they were able to find their way back to their feeding station and little coop.
I checked on them throughout the afternoon and they would sometimes be at one end of the of the run and sometimes at the other.
They make their way back down to the log again
On the log
I am pleased that they seem happy to wander the entire half of the run. Tomorrow I will put the rest of the flock on this side and the new girls on the other side so that they can get used to the whole layout of the run.
At times this afternoon the new girls were sat at the bottom of the run while the rest of the flock were also sitting at the bottom of the run on the other side of the wire. I think this is a good sign.
Click here to see the history of my flock.
Trust you to have the tiniest .
They look like they are doing really well , you are certainly going about it the right way .
Thank you. You know how much I like tiny girls.
Seems like a well-staged familiarisation/integration plan. All looks really good.
I am practised at this now. The new girls get another new environment tomorrow. They don’t seem fazed by it and it’s best they are familiar with the whole run and escape routes before integration.
You certainly have an interesting flock, glad to hear all is going well.
They are a lovely mix of little girls. Next stage tomorrow.