Adding Leghorns?

[Micmac1234]

I recently lost two Wyandotte’s so now my flock includes 2 Wyandotte’s, 2 Buff Rocks and 2 Whiting True Blues all about 20-21 weeks old. I am thinking about adding two Leghorns to my flock. The Leghorns are about 18 weeks.

Right now the Buff Rock is the queen hen. Will there be fighting? Is it a bad idea to add the Leghorns?

Any tips or insight is greatly appreciated!

 

[JustCallMeMaple]

There will always be some form of fighting when adding new members to a flock. If there is adequate space and you give them time to see but not touch each other it will help with them integrating into your flock. They will take time to get a new pecking order or just establish where the new feathered friends fit in.

 

[Micmac1234]

There will always be some form of fighting when adding new members to a flock. If there is adequate space and you give them time to see but not touch each other it will help with them integrating into your flock. They will take time to get a new pecking order or just establish where the new feathered friends fit in.

So the girls I currently have are not laying yet but the leghorns are. They all live in a 72 sq ft coop and occasionally free range in the yard. I was hesitant About having everyone free range when I bring the Leghorns home because they won’t know what “home” is aka their coop. Maybe I should put the Leghorns in the coop with the nesting boxes and the pullets out in the yard? There’s a hardware cloth wall on the coop so they could still see each other.

 

[JustCallMeMaple]

If they can have a way to see each other and adapt to their presence before being integrated it should be fine. Would they each have room to get space and outdoor time? I would hate to displace your current flock for them entirely but if they can see one another in a familiar space it would be good. You could give the leghorns a temporary place next to them and then just leave them in the coop and run after they meet. You could also hardcore throw them in and hope for the best. Though meeting in a small space (with no walls) will lead to more problems but in the run or in the yard they would have more space to run away if they need to.

 

[Micmac1234]

If they can have a way to see each other and adapt to their presence before being integrated it should be fine. Would they each have room to get space and outdoor time? I would hate to displace your current flock for them entirely but if they can see one another in a familiar space it would be good. You could give the leghorns a temporary place next to them and then just leave them in the coop and run after they meet. You could also hardcore throw them in and hope for the best. Though meeting in a small space (with no walls) will lead to more problems but in the run or in the yard they would have more space to run away if they need to.

Maybe I’ll put them all in the coop and stand there and watch them and if it gets bad I’ll just open the door. I’m just hoping I can catch them to get back into the coop for the night!

 

[Micmac1234]

@JustCallMeMaple here is my coop. Somehow the toddler escaped

 

[JustCallMeMaple]

Go for it if you feel comfortable. Can they be separated in there if they need more time to adjust? Nature is to figure out the pecking order when new flock mates join. If you want it to work I'm confident you will get them to accept one another with time. If the leghorns are too mellow they could get picked on but if they're defensive they will put themselves mid flock and chill.

 

[Alaskan]

I love leghorns.

 

[Micmac1234]

Go for it if you feel comfortable. Can they be separated in there if they need more time to adjust? Nature is to figure out the pecking order when new flock mates join. If you want it to work I'm confident you will get them to accept one another with time. If the leghorns are too mellow they could get picked on but if they're defensive they will put themselves mid flock and chill.

I have a lab who has a wire crate so I could also use that for the two new birds but I just don’t want them stuck in there if they need to lay an egg. I see some chicken babysitting in my future

 

[Darius123]

There will be a bit of a fight. The fight to establish a new pecking order can be quick, or long, depends on the willingness of one to lose a place in the pecking order. If you are looking to add hens, is not going to be as difficult as introducing roosters.