Adding to my flock, how to?

[Five Dog Farm]

We currently have 2 barred rocks (1 year old) and 3 RIR ( 2 years old we got from a friend last fall) all hens. Got 5 more Barred rock pullets about 4 weeks old now. The pullets won't be ready to go out to the coop for a month to 1 1/2 months based on size and temp. We free range during the day. I have 10 nesting boxes in the coop. I was thinking of bringing the little ones out and putting them next to the coop for a bit each day as the weather gets nicer while the big girls are still locked up. After doing that for several weeks maybe slipping the little ones into nesting boxes during the night. Any input would be appreciated!

 

[RonB]

You have the right idea! I have ten girls between 1 1/2 yrs & 2 1/2 yrs. I also have three that are six months old. they ALL can get out into a fence run durning the day. But I do have a fence to separate them. they can see each other. Every afternoon I let them All free range together. the three usually stay together. but all them them mingle abit. the three younger ones get picked on a bit but not bad!!. I also have ten four week old chicks. I will probably introduce them to the rest of the flock sometime this summer. I think it would be better if you let the little ones free range with the rest BEFORE locking them up in the coop together. that way they can get a way if they are picked on hope this helps

 

[CMV]

Here's a great link on integration:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-adding-to-your-flock

Good luck.

 

[RonB]

CMV

Great link! I added four chickens to my flock last summer when they were seven months old. Guess I got away with it. but NO MORE adding unless they are baby chicks

 

[CMV]

Quote:
I know! I love that link. I had to nominate Buff Hooligans for a BYC educator award because that link has proven itself to be instrumental in helping so many folks during integration. Truly the best write up on flock integration I have come across, and I have a lot of links on chicken... everything. So that's pretty high praise.