Combining in new coop

[Keliray1]

I have 7 grown chickens in a "small" coop, 10 younger chicks in a brooder set up. I'm currently building a larger coop to house all of them. How should I go about putting them in it? All the 17 at one time? Do I need to wait until the chicks are grown to add them? They are currently about 6 weeks old. I wonder if I put them all in at one time if it would be better since its not anyones "home" that the other is getting introduced to? Any help is appreciated!

 

[aart]

All the 17 at one time?.... I wonder if I put them all in at one time if it would be better since its not anyones "home" that the other is getting introduced to?

That can work....new territory to all.
But have a plan B.

How soon will coop be done, am guessing those chicks have outgrown the brooder?

 

[Keliray1]

They have outgrown it the indoor brooder. We have a good size rabbit cage/hutch im using for the time being. Its not ideal but its working well enough. The large coop should be completely ready in less than 2 weeks putting the young ones right around 8 weeks. I wonder if thats still young to put them with the grown chickens?

 

[Keliray1]

That can work....new territory to all.
But have a plan B.

How soon will coop be done, am guessing those chicks have outgrown the brooder?

Also THANK YOU! I was starting to worry because nobody was replying to the post and I really don't know how to combine them

 

[aart]

I wonder if thats still young to put them with the grown chickens?

Hard to say how it will go down. Like I said before, have a Plan B.
I integrate chicks young by brooding in the coop.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

I was starting to worry because nobody was replying to the post and I really don't know how to combine them

Only an hour or two is not long to wait for a reply.

Hopefully your new coop is good and large.
Do you have a chicken coop build thread going?

Here's some tips about....
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]

What I would suggest is:

• for the next two weeks have it set up so the old birds can see the new birds
• when the coop is done, set up multiple hideouts, roosts, platforms and multiple feed stations in the run
• add the new chicks, wait two days
• add the old birds very close to dark

I don't think you will have any problems at all. Maybe a few dust ups, but the young birds outnumber the old birds, that helps. Two days of exploring the set up, gives the young birds ways to get out of sight of the old birds. A strange place is a bit upsetting to the old birds so will make them not as defensive to their own territory. I really think you will have very limited problems. If so, it might be one or two old birds, then stick them in the rabbit hutch for a week and try again.

Mrs K

 

[Keliray1]

I don't have a thread for the coup build. I might start one though if you think it would be beneficial. And I seen this article yesterday and have incorporated more feed and water stations in the new coop. Fingers crossed everything goes well! Also I love the idea of brooding in the coop. I'll probably do that in the future for any more chicks I get. The new coop/run should have plenty of space for everybody and I have lots of toys and places for the young ones to hide. I just hope everything goes well but will start thinking of a plan B, just in case.

 

[Keliray1]

What I would suggest is:

• for the next two weeks have it set up so the old birds can see the new birds
• when the coop is done, set up multiple hideouts, roosts, platforms and multiple feed stations in the run
• add the new chicks, wait two days
• add the old birds very close to dark

I don't think you will have any problems at all. Maybe a few dust ups, but the young birds outnumber the old birds, that helps. Two days of exploring the set up, gives the young birds ways to get out of sight of the old birds. A strange place is a bit upsetting to the old birds so will make them not as defensive to their own territory. I really think you will have very limited problems. If so, it might be one or two old birds, then stick them in the rabbit hutch for a week and try again.

Mrs K

Ok great! Thank you so much!! I'll get them set up next to each other today. Do you have any suggestions for "hide outs"? I plan to have some tree stumps, limbs and also maybe some pallets? I have a pretty decent amount of space to work with so I'm open to any suggestions

 

[rosemarythyme]

Do you have any suggestions for "hide outs"? I plan to have some tree stumps, limbs and also maybe some pallets? I have a pretty decent amount of space to work with so I'm open to any suggestions

All of what you mentioned should work. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/ which aart posted, shows Mrs K's clutter along with many other people's ideas.

 

[Mrs. K]

More is better, pallets up on blocks so birds can get under in the shade or on top to bask in the sun. Leaned agains a wall or a saw horse, will also provide a bit of shelter. Old ladder or chairs, roosts in the run. You do want to beware of setting up a trap, something that only has one way in. But it while it looks clutter, it really makes it much more interesting to chickens.