VIDEO How to modify underneath your coop in order to assimilate your flock with new birds

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Hello the43k,

I have seen many of your videos on BYC and YouTube. Thank you for all the insight and help with chickens. I do , however, have some questions regarding new bird integration into a existing flock. I currently have 2 mature Plymouth Barred Rock Hens, 4 other hens that are about 1.5 months behind in age and one Kuckoo Maran that is a month or so behind them in growth. The only birds that are full grown and laying are they Barred Rock hens. I am a first timer when it comes to raising chickens and made the mistake of buying the birds at different times. Not knowing about the pecking order, I soon learned that they needed to be kept separate until more growth of my smaller birds can happen.

Well I ended up building 2 additional temporary coops and have the birds housed by age. They are now at the point where I think the size is almost about equal. I would also mention that all of my birds except the Kuckoo maran, free range together around the property all day. There is rarely a problem with dominance until the younger ones venture into the mature birds coop and run area. I would like to have them all housed in my main coop.

Due to the fact that I am a rookie at this and also a firs time coop builder, my current coop is not equipped with the features I would like, one being enough room to put a small protective cage in for the younger birds to be in while being introduced. I can however, provide some protection in the run, but not sure how to house them at night together without there being bloodshed. I was thinking of dividing the coop into two sections with some chicken wire for a week or so and then remove it once everyone is friendly.

What are some other ideas you might suggest. I have tried using a squirt bottle to let the older hens know that I am the one in control and they learn quick not to peck the younger ones, but I can't be there all the time to protect the smaller birds.

I am also in the process of gathering the materials to make a mega hen house that has all the bells and whistles, but this may be a month out or so. I thought that by providing a new home for all the birds and introducing them to it together would eliminate any dominance of territory.

Sorry for the long drawn out post, but I am just concerned we will have some injured or dead chickens if I don't take the necessary steps to protect the younger ones.
 
Sounds like you're going to be busy for awhile, if you can't devise something to keep them separate at night, one labor intensive way would be to just be ready to open the door every morning once daylight arrives and they are awake. The darkness will keep them docile, but that might end once morning arrives. Hopefully, this won't last too much longer.
 
You could also just keep them in a small cage like I did inside your pen. Ultimately, don't be too concerned, some physical conflict is completely normal
 
I enjoyed your video and will try adding some areas in my run for my new hens to hide. My problem is my five month old hens pecking the new rooster and two hens that are eight months old. Today one of them pulled the older hen off the nest and almost tore her comb off. I felt so bad for her today. I have separated them but they go to the same hen house to lay. They are going up at night without fighting, but as soon as the morning comes the new ones are getting pecked and chased. This is the second week . I'm hoping that things will calm down soon.
 
ParsonPlace said:
I enjoyed your video and will try adding some areas in my run for my new hens to hide. My problem is my five month old hens pecking the new rooster and two hens that are eight months old. Today one of them pulled the older hen off the nest and almost tore her comb off. I felt so bad for her today. I have separated them but they go to the same hen house to lay. They are going up at night without fighting, but as soon as the morning comes the new ones are getting pecked and chased. This is the second week . I'm hoping that things will calm down soon.
Click to expand...
One thing I forgot to put in the video should have been keeping chickens occupied. Believe it or not, they will get bored. When they are bored they are far more likely to be aggressive. Make sure you have them in a larger enough space. Make sure you have enough "scratch". Throw in weeds, grass clippings, branches. Dig holes with shovel and turn over dirt, they dig for worms. Throw in egg layer pallets.. Give them something to occupy their time. They are like kids, if they have something to do, they are far less likely to fight.
 
Things are getting better with the new chickens. I did enlarge the run and put some limbs for them to hide in and they really like that. I also let them free range most of the day . The rooster is seems to be getting along better also. Thanks for all of your suggestions.
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