Introducing a New Group of Pullets

[Philipiter]

Hello All -

I'm looking for some guidance...

We started off with four chicks back in March, three of which ended up being roos. We got rid of two of the roos a couple of weeks ago and got a group of six pullets (around 7 or 8 weeks) that have been in quarantine until today. I placed the pullets in a dog crate in the run so everyone could meet each other and plan to keep them separated like this for around a week before letting them out to roam with the two older birds (now around 13 weeks).

What I'm hoping to get feedback on is how to handle the pullets at night AND how long do I need to keep them separated in the dog crate considering that they are not that much younger than the original two birds. Is it okay to leave the new ones in the crate overnight, or should I bring them inside to the brooder where they've been in quarantine? Considering that they're not too far apart in age, do I really need to wait a week before letting them roam, or can they be let out sooner assuming we keep an eye on them and everyone behaves?

 

[aart]

It's gonna be tough fitting all the birds in to the very small coop.
But here's some tips that might help you figure it out:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock.71997/
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[Mrs. K]

You are right, they are close in size, which will make this easier and take less time. Being as you have more younger bird, what I would do is change their places. Tonight go and collect the two older birds off the roost, and put them in the dog kennel. Let the new younger birds into the kennel and coop.

This will do a couple of things, it gives more space to more birds and it lets the newbies explore without being chased and harassed. It lets them develop some territorial rights. After 2-4 days - let everyone together fairly close to dark.

But AArt is right. You do not have anywhere near enough space in the coop for 8 birds in that set up. You can cheat now, as none are full size and it is summer, the days are long and the nights are short. But if you live where there is winter, you need to either sell some birds or get a bigger coup. Very ugly behaviors develop with overcrowding.

For 8 birds you need a coop that is about 32 square feet, so 6x6, or 5 x 7 feet. Personally I prefer a walk in coop, it is easier to clean, and easier to ventilate.

You probably can get these birds to form a flock. But you have to either address the size of the coop or reduce the number of birds you have, or this will be a wreck.

Mrs K

 

[Bigbluefrog]

It's gonna be tough fitting all the birds in to the very small coop.
But here's some tips that might help you figure it out:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock.71997/
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

Thanks! This has been very helpful