Adding new chickens

[Bjcm]

I have 11 hens that are all about a year old. I have 9 approximately 3 month old hens. Right now I have them in the same coop with a divider. I was just wondering how long I should do this for?

 

[A.M. Eggs]

You can integrate them now. They are probably used to seeing each other and now just need to form a new pecking order.

 

[Bjcm]

You can integrate them now. They are probably used to seeing each other and now just need to form a new pecking order.

They have only been in the same coop for 2 days.

 

[Thyme4Chickens]

Hi! Love the "look but don't touch" approach - we brooded in the coop this year and it worked great!

How long have the littles been in the coop?

Following advice on this forum, we made "panic doors" for our little ones - we rolled up the wire high enough so the littles could get back in the "safe room" but the hens couldn't. As we brooded in the coop, we opened up the panic doors after a couple weeks (once I knew the chicks knew where it was safe).

PS Gorgeous hens!!!!

 

[Bjcm]

Hi! Love the "look but don't touch" approach - we brooded in the coop this year and it worked great!

How long have the littles been in the coop?

Following advice on this forum, we made "panic doors" for our little ones - we rolled up the wire high enough so the littles could get back in the "safe room" but the hens couldn't. As we brooded in the coop, we opened up the panic doors after a couple weeks (once I knew the chicks knew where it was safe).

PS Gorgeous hens!!!!

The little ones have only been in the coop for 2 days with the big ones. ... Thanks

 

[Thyme4Chickens]

I was too slow! If it's just been two days, I'd probably wait. Give everybody more time to adjust. I think a week has been recommended for the initial "look don't touch" period? I'd have to double-check.

Edit to add: after a quick search, sounds like "slow" integration is the way to go! Maybe a couple weeks?

 

[Mrs. K]

I think a week is enough, then lift the fence just so the young ones if determined can get through, but the big ones can't follow. Then let them on their own terms figure it out. At first for maybe a couple of days even they won't go through the fence, but then they will go through but stay close to the fence, and then just get gradually braver.

Do keep food and water inside the safe zone until you see the littles eating with the bigs, then you can take it down. The littles will be a sub flock, until they begin to lay. They may or may not go to roosting right away, but will do so eventually.

Mrs K