Adding new chickens to flock

[PowerOfZen]

We have 7 Red Sex links ( 1 year old) , and just purchased 24 black sex links and 2 Black Rocks (unkowning to us, they got mixed in to the black sex links). We set moved the older girls to a new coup and run, next to the existing modified coop ( more chickens it needed to have a larger roost area). I will post pictures later of the whole set up.

When we first put the new chicks into coop A they were about 10 weeks old. The older girls in coop B threw a fit, puffing up showing off, etc. but after a day or two, they really do not pay them any attention. we are waiting until both coop are on the same food and we will merge the 2 runs first. I hear hanging 1/4 cabbages from the run ceiling is a good idea, the older chicks spend more time and energy trying to get to the food, instead of attacking the new chicks. I have also heard put a lot of obsticles, like roosts, walking up ramps, tree branches etc. so a chicken being attacked can hide and that gives you time to remove the bully from the situation.

They have been side by side now for 3 weeks and all is good, the new girls are finding their pecking order and I am sure that the older Roo-Hen will put eveything in order without blood shed once the merge happend in a few weeks.

I will keep everyone posted.


I added the pictures of our coop and what we are doing with the new girls before adding to flock, check my profile

 

[momochix]

I integrated my old hen in with my younger flock last night. She was widowed yesterday when our rooster died of old age. She and the younger flock had been in side by side pens for the last year and it was pretty seamless. We put her on a roost last night after dinner. She was still there this morning when I checked before 6 am surveying her surroundings. I put in her old feeding dish and she was spunky about defending it when she finally jumped down. They are all getting along now, but it's over 100 degrees and no one has the energy for a fight. I have the misters on for the adult hens and have ice in with our six week olds who are still in a brooder with a high roof. I'm going to put them in the now vacant pen in the next few days so they can "eye" the flock before they, too, move in in several weeks. So far I'm fond of the sneak 'em in after dark method.

 

[Aquaman05]

I can't get my new chickens to head back into the barn at night. They hang out outside under the dusk to dawn light . I'm worried about the neighbors cat

 

[bigangrychicken]

deleted

 

[PowerOfZen]

need to walk them in every night - we put a timer on a light inside they eventually go the hint.

 

[PowerOfZen]

we also merged our older chickens into the new flock with no issues, we tried the large group into the older flock and that did not work at all.

now we found out that we have 2 roosters, kinda figured that , but were hoping they were hens,

Would like to find a good home for them.

 

[Cottage Chicks]

I like the wire dog kennel inside the coup idea. I have one new younger hen with 4 older ones. Things are not happy in the coup and with our high heat I am worried about the stress on the new girl. Tomorrow I think I will put the "peckers" out to free range and leave " new girl" with "Little Red Hen" who is at the bottom of the pecking order of the original four "oldies".
Probably much to do about nothing but I'm a softie for our new girl.

 

[lox18]

Huge problems!! I have one chook,5mths old, brought a second one that is 15weeks. The second we put them together the elder one pecked the hell out of it. Let them run the yard and the younger one was petrified. Tried to put them in the coop together today and the younger one froze in the corner whilst the older one pecked it!! Had to seperate them again. How long does this go for? Ideas? Stressing me out

 

[Aquaman05]

Probably wont stop until the little one is dead. They need to be about the same size, should try to let them see each other with a fence between them if possible.
I just let my free range together but hey was in groups. 10 of the original and 5 new ones. They kinda worked it out and when I out them in the same coop 3 of them still won't go to close .

 

[cafarmgirl]

Huge problems!! I have one chook,5mths old, brought a second one that is 15weeks. The second we put them together the elder one pecked the hell out of it. Let them run the yard and the younger one was petrified. Tried to put them in the coop together today and the younger one froze in the corner whilst the older one pecked it!! Had to seperate them again. How long does this go for? Ideas? Stressing me out

It can take a long time. The best thing to do is keep them separated by a fence for a few weeks until things settle down. The new bird can sleep in the coop but put her in a dog crate or cat carrier so the older one can't attack. If you have a run fence off part of it so they can be next to each other but not attack. Eventually try letting them out together again, best when the youngster is the same size, as mentioned. Chickens are brutal and they do NOT like newcomers! It's takes time and patience and when you are integrating only one new bird, even to another single bird, it can be really hard.