For those who have never had chickens, the experts recommend that you not put two batches of chickens together without some type of “introduction” and having them get to know each other first. We had planned to put a chicken wire divider up in the run so they’d kinda be together but they couldn’t hurt each other.
Yesterday afternoon while I was out working in the garden, I thought it might be a good idea to put the two older batches of chickens together before the yellow ones really feel at home and then they might feel like their space was being invaded by the red chickens. Vince is so picky about them, he wasn’t sure it was a good idea. I said “let’s just try it and if they fight, we’ll take the red ones out”. The yellow ones are still scared in the new coop but they’re so goofy, they may be scared forever.
We brought the red chickens in and put them in the coop. They all looked at each other but there was no fighting or pecking on each other. The red ones were scared like the yellow ones were their first night in the coop.
They were happy to stay in the egg boxes. They were all spread out with a few in each box.
The yellow ones were getting a bit accustomed to the coop. This one on the lower shelf on the end, she has the cutest face. She kinda reminds me of a penguin. Getting up on that top roost is a whole lot easier than getting down. I’m surprised they haven’t injured themselves getting down but they’ll figure it out.
Vince went out to check on them later and he said they were all huddled in the egg boxes . . no one was on the roost, but the yellow ones were together and the red ones were together. They can stay apart as long as they want so long as they aren’t pecking each other but I’m betting by tonight, they’ll be used to each other and they’ll all be mingling together.
Karin says
so much fun Judy! Love your setup 🙂 That one does looks sort of penguin-ish 🙂
swooze says
One more batch to go?
Roberta says
Just make sure both groups are eating and drinking. I’d put both feeders in the coop so they can’t gang up on the one feeder and ‘protect it’ against the other group. Probably a good idea putting them together in a new place, keeps their attention getting to know the bigger area. If they aren’t six weeks old yet and are huddling they might benefit from a light in one end at night to keep them warm. Just thoughts, don’t know what you weather is there. Here in NYS it’s cold yet. But our girls look like your older ones.
Hugs!!!!
JudyL says
Not eating enough is definitely not an issue around here with anyone or anything! 🙂 They’re eating just fine. We have a light in there because the nights are still too cool. The bigger ones are 4 weeks old and the younger ones are 3 weeks old. The light keeps the coop plenty warm and any that are cold can move closer to it.
Roberta says
This is a good thing!!!!!!!!! 😉 Our are still in the old bulk tank, we raised several batches of poultry in it now.
Hugs!!!!
Anne G says
I just love your chicken pictures!
Ellie says
You’re a good chicken mama!
Ruth says
Judy, Check out this link. Clearly you need chicken fabric!
http://www.equilter.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/st_prod.html?p_prodid=155850&sid=31U9Hz2y87h22uG-13112278853.a9
Krista says
They look so cute. I had the same thought you did, about the first batch feeling like they “owned” the coop, when you introduced the new ones. Glad to see all is well so far. Did you say the other chickens were getting their own little coop?
glen in louisiana says
It would be interesting if they stay in color groups…….
glen: might have to rethink color bias then