Combining flocks....take 2 ....with the help of a rooster?

[Chick-N-Fun]

I currently have 2 flocks in separate coops and runs. My first flock has 6 hens who are 3+ years old and my second flock of 8 hens are only one year old. I recently tried to combining the flocks by joining the two 8X10 dog kennels. (The 2 kennels currently butt up to one another. My husband cut a hole in both kennels to have the option of combining them with a closable door and ramp. ) I watched carefully as the hens figured out the pecking order. I observed the typical behavior and didn't witness much aggression.
After about a week, I was out gathering the eggs from both coops and noticed blood stains on one of the eggs. I went to the run and watched as my barred rock and RIR were pecking at my Buffed Brahma's bottom!! I immediately picked up Clover (the Brahma) and saw that she had a large bald spot from her feathers being plucked out. There was an open sore as well from all of the pecking. I brought her in the house, washed her wounded area in soapy warm water and applied Blu Kote to protect the area.
I separated the flocks again. I do not want any of my girls being abused!
Clover has since healed......

Ideally, I would love to have the hens be able to use both runs as one flock. Here is my QUESTION: I have a friend that has a cockerel that she cannot keep. If I took the cockerel (@ 12 weeks old) and combined the flock again with him in it, would having a rooster within that one flock prevent or reduce the aggression between my hens? I understand that the rooster would add new dynamics to all of the hens......I just don't know what I should do. I am unable to free range my girls full time, as my husband has 2 bird dogs!!!!! Would keeping 14 hens and 1 rooster in a 8x20 run with 2 large coops appropriate? Any ideas/suggestions would be great!

 

[junebuggena]

Barred Rocks and RIRs tend to really need their elbow room, and need to be kept occupied. Otherwise, their dominant natures can lead them to overly aggressive behavior. When integrating new birds into a flock with those two breeds, it's wise to double up on the usual space requirements. That means at least 20 sq ft per bird in the run and at least 8 sq ft in the coop. Adding a rooster will just reduce the amount of sq footage per bird, making things worse.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Barred Rocks and RIRs tend to really need their elbow room, and need to be kept occupied. Otherwise, their dominant natures can lead them to overly aggressive behavior. When integrating new birds into a flock with those two breeds, it's wise to double up on the usual space requirements. That means at least 20 sq ft per bird in the run and at least 8 sq ft in the coop. Adding a rooster will just reduce the amount of sq footage per bird, making things worse.

Thanks for the valuable input! My husband offered to cull the two of them. He was just as upset as I was!......maybe that is an option????

 

[junebuggena]

If they are the one-year-olds, they still have value as layers. Mine still lay daily at 4 years old. Put an add on craigslist for them.
The problem then becomes who takes over the dominant position in the flock. Even without those two, you are still a bit tight on space for integrating two flocks.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

If they are the one-year-olds, they still have value as layers. Mine still lay daily at 4 years old. Put an add on craigslist for them.
The problem then becomes who takes over the dominant position in the flock. Even without those two, you are still a bit tight on space for integrating two flocks.

The RIR and barred rock are 3 years old. I know...I can't cull them...I wouldn't do that! I have several neighbors with chickens that could take them. I was just wondering if taking those 2 out of the flock would help with the harmony of combining them.

 

[junebuggena]

You could try mixing up the two flocks a bit. Take the two problem girls out for a few days. Meanwhile, take two or three from the older group and put in with the younger girls. And take two or three of the younger girls and put them with the older. Switching up the flocks and upsetting the pecking order for everybody. Then, when you put the problem girls back in with everybody, it's a fresh start for them all.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

You could try mixing up the two flocks a bit. Take the two problem girls out for a few days. Meanwhile, take two or three from the older group and put in with the younger girls. And take two or three of the younger girls and put them with the older. Switching up the flocks and upsetting the pecking order for everybody. Then, when you put the problem girls back in with everybody, it's a fresh start for them all.

Thanks JuneBugGena. I truly value your input. I have tried mixing the flocks with the same result. Maybe I should consider rehoming my aggressors. Culling is NOT an option.

 

[junebuggena]

What I'm suggesting is that you take the two problems girls out of the equation for a few days and do a mix and match of the remaining birds within the two separate setups. Keep the newly mixed flocks separate for a few days. Then, open things back up and reintroduce the problem girls.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

What I'm suggesting is that you take the two problems girls out of the equation for a few days and do a mix and match of the remaining birds within the two separate setups. Keep the newly mixed flocks separate for a few days. Then, open things back up and reintroduce the problem girls.

Got it! I will try that ! Thank you!

 

[Mrs. K]

What does the run look like, is it just two dimension length x width? Because while it will look more cluttered, it is much better if you take a look up at the third dimension. Add platforms that birds can get under or stand on top, add roosts in the run, add some hideouts. While these will make the run look cluttered, it gives the birds a lot more room to get away from each other.

Go in there and jazz it up with some pallets, limbs, ladders, chairs, whatever, and then mix it up like Junebuggena says. It will all help.

Mrs K