Another Integration question

[TyRi]

I have 17 7 month old hens and have a new breeding pair that is 14-16 weeks that has been in a side area against the fence for 2 weeks and i put a small area outdoor dog pen inside the run for 1 week. Initially my hens were reaching through grabbing the newbies but have not seen it anymore. Do you think I will be okay to let them together this weekend? Only scared if it doesn’t go well, that I will be borderline impossible catching the new 2 to put them back to safety because they are flighty. I know there may be some bullying and thats to be expected so if I cant catch them will it be okay and trust they will just keep their nose clean? I know to have 2 feed/water stations out of sight. I also have 5 9 week olds that will be about to embark on the same process as long as everyone gives me some reassurance. Feels like I did about all I can do on the see but no touch introductory front and time to cut them loose. Thanks

 

[TyRi]

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[aart]

Whew boy, 3 age groups. BTDT, it wasn't fun.
I hope you have a lot of space.
Dimensions and pics of your coops and runs would help here.
Where are the 9wo's living?


You may have read all this stuff, but I'll post it anyway:
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.

Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[Mrs. K]

I would let the original birds out of the coop/run. You can count on them to return to the coop at dark.

Then I would lock the two 14 week old birds and the 5 9 week old birds into the run/coup. This will let the newbies explore the coop and run without being chased. Chickens are very territorial, and even though they can SEE a territory it really does not belong to them unless they walk around in it. So if you put them in there, it is strange to them and they know they are not suppose to be there.

Because you have more of the 9week olds, mixing them with only 2 of the 14week olds is apt to work. There should be only a slight size difference, and if there is enough clutter, and they are all in a strange place, I would expect a bit of bluster, and for this to settle fairly quickly.

As close to dark as you dare, let the old birds back in. The urge to fight will about equal the urge to roost. Again there might be a bit of bluster but chasing 7 young birds is going to be tiring. I think it will settle quickly.

Mrs K