At what age can I integrate younger birds.

[ChickenCrazy8]

I have two hens that are a year and half old. 1 RIR and 1 BPR. They live in my 'year round' coop. Then I have 4 pullets. They are 3-3.5 months old. They are living in my chicken tractor. I have been letting all my chickens free range together. There has been no injuries just a few feathers pulled and the pullets have been chased. I am going away at the end of september and really want them integrated at that time. I am just worried that if I put them in the coop they will beat each other up. Do you think they will be fine together or should I wait longer?
Thanks in advance,
Zoë

 

[teach1rusl]

Well...they won't be "fine together" as in hunkey dorey...lol, but they most likely won't kill one another.

There will be some evil doing by the 2 older gals, but I'd go ahead and make the switch, so that you're here to intervene (if needed) through the worst of it. At 3-4 months of age, the newbies should be large enough to somewhat defend themselves, and at least they outnumber the bigger gals. I think it helps if you have space to add a roost in the coop...because roosting time is generally when things become ugly. Remember to have more than one feeder/waterer available too, so that the youngsters have opportunities to eat/drink without being chased away.

 

[ChickenCrazy8]

I have two roosts in the ladder set up is that enough? I can't add another roost inside the coop but maybe in the run? I have two waters and will add another feeder.
Thanks so much for the info!!!

 

[aaabirdman]

Try it out and add it to the run

 

[teach1rusl]

To me, the key for a ladder style roost is that the higher rung or step is far enough above the one below so that the birds on top cannot peck the ones on the lower rung. For LF birds, 16-18 inches (vertically) would be wonderful...do you have space to make that adjustment?? Your two older girls will definitely want the top bar, and will peck at the others as they try to get on. Is the bottom rung wide enough for all 4 newbie pullets, because I'm sure the oldies won't allow them on the top step...

 

[ChickenCrazy8]

It isn't possible for me to extend the perch With my poop board set up and the size of the coop.
But the perch is big for them all to fit on the bottom rung.