Age difference and introduction in small flock

[klassidy]

Hello! We currently have two rhode island red pullets that are 7 weeks old and three opringtons (all different color varieties) that are one week of age. I have two different brooders going for the chicks obviously because of the age difference but am not sure what the best way to integrate the flock will be. My reds go outside daily for exercise but will remain in my brooder indoors for at least another three weeks...we socialize with them constantly and are a little too attached to let them in the coop so young. I would like let them all out for play time together as a possible way of introducing them but am afraid the age difference is too big. Also my coop is perfect for 5 hens but does not offer a lot of space to separate them for the first week. Do you think it might be easier because my flock is so small or should I be concerned about fighting? Any opinions would be appreciated!

 

[azygous]

You're correct in assuming the age and size difference will present a problem. Your best course of management would be to house the two groups together so they can see one another, but kept separate by a fence until they all reach the same size.

When you do begin letting them mingle, you will need to make sure they have plenty of space so when bullying does occur, the victims have space to get away. Provide plenty of perches and stumps or old furniture to jump up onto. Even tree branches tossed into the run will help provide a foil for pursuing bullies.

It should work out very well in the long run, but do expect some friction until they all settle the pecking order.

 

[HenMom8522]

Just wanted everyone to know what a wonderful place this is to get information to a chicken newbie.

My experience of integrating new chicks to an existing flock with every bit of information coming from Backyard Chickens.

1) "Look but no touch theory" We placed our 7 week old chicks inside of a dog crate in the run portion of our coop. The older ladies looked at them but really didn't take much interest in them.

2) After 1 week in the dog crate, we allowed the babies to free range with the older ones. Again, they simply ignored each other with the exception of a few pecks when the little ones got too close.

3) Took the dog crate out and replaced it with a "panic box" - again, something we learned here. It is a small box, made out of scrap wood with a cardboard opening that is too small for the big girls to get into, but big enough for the little ones to run in.

4) We left the panic box in for about a week and when it seemed that the little ones weren't running into it very often, we removed it.

5) For the next week, we had two flocks in the same pen, the older ones would peck at the little ones periodically but nothing vicious. Other than that, they completely ignored each other.

6) Tonight when we did their bedtime check, all of them were roosting on the same perch. So excited

Sorry this was so long, just thought those of you trying to integrate different ages would like to know that it is very possible, even if it can be a long process. Just be patient and let them tell you when they are ready, you can't push it.

 

[mobe_45]

I had eight 2 yr old hens when we got a roo that was about a week old in April. After he got to be about the same size, we tried putting him in the coop in a cage by himself so they could see him. Started letting him out with the hens each day after a week, they tried to massacre him. Then I made a separate run area beside the hen run. Any time he got near the fence the hens went after his feathers. A couple weeks of this and I tried to add him to the hens. Two of the hens would start the attack and the rest piled on. Then I added one hen at a time to his run. Three was the best I could handle of the pecking. Once this got tolerable, I just opened the runs up and let the remaining pecking order develop. Sounded terrible, but it's nature. Currently, I think half of the hens allow him to breed them.