Adding two new chicks to the coop....need advice.

[jlrroad]

Hi there,

So my husband and I have 5 what I think to be tetra tints we got from Tractor Supply 2 years ago. We got two barred rock hens this spring (2nd weekend in March) and they have been in the brooder in our garage. One of our original hens was attacked by a hawk end of March and we had to isolate her for a bit while she healed. My husband built a new coop that we were going to have the new chicks in but with having our other hen isolated, we knew it would be hard to add her back in with the others after being isolated for so long, so she is in our new coop along with one other hen we pulled from our original coop. Long story.... Our set up now is 2 hens in the new coop (been in there about a week now) and 3 in our original coop. We are getting ready to add the 2 chicks (now 8 weeks old) in with the 2 hens in the new coop. What is the best and safest way to do so? They are similar in size now, maybe a bit smaller.

 

[Hteeter2]

Check out Appalachian Homestead with Patara's video here @

 

[Ducksandchickens]

Wait until they are fully feather

 

[jlrroad]

Check out Appalachian Homestead with Patara's video here @

Thank you! I have seen some of her videos but not this one in particular.

 

[aart]

That video is like most full time youtubers videos...long on yakking and short on complete info.
I agree the wire crates are a fantastic tool for isolation and integration,
but she doesn't tell the whole tale....short on details of how the process proceeds.
Anyway....

Our set up now is 2 hens in the new coop (been in there about a week now) and 3 in our original coop. We are getting ready to add the 2 chicks (now 8 weeks old) in with the 2 hens in the new coop. What is the best and safest way to do so? They are similar in size now, maybe a bit smaller.

How big is the new coop?
Can you fit a wire crate in the new coop?
Dimensions and pics of coop might help us help you figure out the best solution/process.

Ideally you could have put all the birds into the new coop at the same time to greatly reduce the territoriality aspect...but that time has passed.
Curious why you only put 2 of the 5 older birds in the new coop,
do you plan on keeping them separate long term?

Here's some tips on integration that might help.

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.

 

[Caroline's Ladies]

Check out Appalachian Homestead with Patara's video here @

I love Patara! She is awesome!