Today was the big day--blending the mature hens with the daffy dozen chicklets. It went as smooth as a cow on ice--the two bolder chicklets ventured into the ladies' coop, and several of the others followed. Then a hen or two went into the chicklets' coop, and the two groups mixed. There was one incident when a bold chicklet thought she'd be the leader of the flock, and a mature hen convinced her she was not #1, maybe not even #10! I'm so relieved. Now I have a nice flock that gets along, and the older hens can show the younger ones the outdoor coop, nest boxes, and all the other magnificent things a chicken has! I'll take photos as soon as everyone is very comfortable--right now a flash going off could ruin the truce! The daffy dozen wouldn't cooperate and get into the outside coop with the mature ladies, so I took a photo of the dozen inside. Here they are--almost ladies! Daffy dozen at 14 weeks old ( photo / image / picture from marlingardener's Garden )
Do you think the hens will share the TV remote with the chicklets? And you know they won't have any control over the AC. Glad they are playing nice together.
Cute, Jane. I put up a small opening fence between the two sizes of birds and let the little ones venture into the big flock as they will. It seems to work out okay.
It takes time to blend them. Last summer after my one dog got loose and into my chicken pen and killed a few chickens, I had to get some more chickens. I waited until my son got my new dog proof coop built. It took awhile for the older chickens to accept the newbies, but they get along fine now. Though Pookie is usually missing some feathers on her neck, so she must be low bird on their totem pole.
Today was a banner day in the coop--I saw two of the daffy dozen eating from the big hanging feeder. Oh, boy, no more filling two feeders in two different coops! They will still have two watering stations, since the temperatures are rising and I don't want anybody to go thirsty. But, it will be a great relief to not have to fill a small feeder daily, or even twice daily. Did I mention the daffy dozen are eager eaters?
Looking forward to the pictures. Sounds like the little ones will provide plenty of entertainment. Jerry
