Before I start giving all the girls time together I always switch both lots to the other side first. I like to let the new girls get used to the other side of the run before I start any mixing. I took away the new girls food and water so that it didn’t get dirt scratched into it. I closed their little coop so that the main girls don’t scratch out the shavings.
Usually the main flock love to get into the area with the shelter but today they were more interested in the bottom of the run. I think it’s because it’s been wet and the soil was easy to scratch and dig.
Red looks back at me as if to ask what I am doing.
By now they had had half an hour so I decided that was enough for the day. The new girls clearly wanted to get back to their side.
It is always the hardest bit getting new girls to the patio area as it is different to the rest of the run. They need to find the patio area though as that’s where the food, water and treats are plus the nest boxes and chicken shed.
I thought it went well for a first time though. I would rather get the new girls used to rest of the run gradually and then start mixing them gradually too, just a little at a time.
There is no rush as the new girls need to stay on growers for a while yet.
Click here to see the history of my flock.
Sounds like a really good idea for integration, Carol. Some lovely photos. Dot’s comb is amazing!
Dot did rather photo bomb me. I took it through the hatch and she ran towards me giving me a close up. She is the only girl with completely dark eyes and she does have an amazing comb. She has also just laid three days in a row.
A good idea to get the new girls used to both side. Lovely pictures.
It’s been too wet to have another go but I will continue when we have dry days. The new girls were keen to get back to their own side but they usually get braver as they are there more often.