Add to flock

[woodenfarm]

I have almost 3 month old ladies now I was seeing to add to the flock. Several are going to a friend and will stay where the baby area is away from the older 1 year old girls.
Would it be ok to add to the older girl flock? Would you add all at once or add 1 or 3 at a time for a few day and so forth? I will be adding 6 total

 

[Mrs. K]

I would add all at once. It will spread out the pecking, and they tend to settle down quickly, but there are lots of variables:

• Space- measure inside and out
• Hideouts- is the run just bare?
• Multiple feed stations, some hidden
• See no touch introductions help
• How many old girls, how many young?

So what might work for some might not work for others, depending.

Mrs.K

 

[woodenfarm]

I would add all at once. It will spread out the pecking, and they tend to settle down quickly, but there are lots of variables:

• Space- measure inside and out
• Hideouts- is the run just bare?
• Multiple feed stations, some hidden
• See no touch introductions help
• How many old girls, how many young?

So what might work for some might not work for others, depending.

Mrs.K

There is 10 year old girls.
The run is big and will be adding on to it when our friends get their chickens soon. There are branches to climb and jump on two feeders and water areas. The coop is a barn stable converted into a coop it has several nesting boxes and roost that has 5 roosting post things and one broody lady that is part of the 10 year olds

 

[woodenfarm]

Well ten (ladies that are a year old)
Sounds better

 

[aart]

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.

This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

 

[woodenfarm]

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.

This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

Oh so it might be best to move their cage down to the other stable so they can be side by side for awhile before moving them in with the older ones.