The chicks have now slept with the main flock for the last three nights as well as spending their days with them so I think we can safely say integration is complete.
There have been no problems and they are one happy flock together.
Therefore I decided that today I would return the run back to it’s normal “one flock” position. I swept and cleaned and washed all the feed and water bowls. I then moved the chick’s coop back to the patio area as another nest box. While it has been in the chick’s area (three weeks) it has never once been used as a nest box. It is as if the patio area is nest box area only and a nest box any where else doesn’t count. Luckily as only a few girls are laying at the moment this didn’t cause any problems.
I then removed the tiled feeding station and dug it over. I returned the food and water dish to their usual position on the patio and left a couple of extra small food dishes too.
I then took down the chick’s flower pot umbrella and cane perch.
The run is now back to normal
This now means the girls have more space in the right hand triangular part of the run which they like as it has the big bush in there.
The chick’s coop is now another nest box in the left hand corner
When I went in before bedtime tonight the girls were all in their usual bedtime positions.
The bedtime positions
Every night Emerald preens the feathers on her legs. I only see her do this at bedtime and it just seems to be part of her bedtime routine.
Emerald , Sparkle and Topaz are in their usual positions.
While it’s hot Emerald and Sparkle always stand for a while. I have been pouring a can of water over the patio beneath them to help to cool the area.
Toffee, Honey and Amber are in their positions
Peaches and Barley in their position
It is lovely having the run back as one large area and having the flock all together and happy. I am very pleased at how smoothly the integration has gone. I have now got one happy flock.
Click here to see the history of my flock.
We have all learnt a few lessons over the last couple of years about integrating , really glad that all has gone smoothly.. Practise must make perfect ! Well done .I know how much you like order 🙂
You are right, I felt really pleased to have everything back in it’s place and all neat and tidy. I also like having the flock as one.
Ah, peace and harmony. My favorite spot with chickens.
I know what you mean. It happens sometimes and we breath a sigh of relief and think thank goodness all is okay for now. Long may it continue!
You must be delighted at effecting integration: I have had experiences of horrific integration attempts, but usually because I have rushed things; if you do it sensibly, as you have, harmony can be reached within a couple of weeks – especially once they know their places in the pecking order! Enjoy.
On another note, you are lucky that your wyandottes have not gone broody. I have six, all pullets which began to lay in April and only one has not gone broody: all of the others at least 3 times each, and the worst offender now on her fifth period of broodiness.
My first integration, when I wasn’t experienced, I tried to rush. It was awful and took a month, Since then I try to go slowly and have managed in a week and my game birds just three days as they were desperate to mix.
I didn’t know wyndottes were of a broody nature but the game birds are supposed to be so I am prepared for it to happen to me. I haven’t had the broody experience yet but am expecting it. My two game birds are moulting at the moment probably because they have been broody before I got them.