I have tried doing my own research and looking at other threads, but there is so much advice on how to combine flocks it is hard to decide what is right and what is wrong. If anyone has a reliable link to a post here or another website that gives good combining advice I would love to see it! This is what my situation is:
-I have 3 one and a half year old chickens in our coop/run. We have an ameraucana, buff orpington, and barred rock. -I have 4 newbies that range in age from 11-14/15 weeks old. The youngest is still fairly small, probably half the size of the big girls. I have 2 EEs, 1 frizzle, and 1 silkie/cochin roo (he is 12/13 weeks old).
-The yougins have been raised from babies and were put outside in an adjacent pen to the run about a month ago. They see each other eating.
-I have let them free range together a few times, the ameraucana has pecked a few heads, but nothing serious. The babies hung out in the run without the big girls in there for a couple of hours yesterday.
My run isn't big enough to put the chick pen inside without completely cramping the older ladies. We have plans to expand the run, but it probably won't happen for a few more months. We have one nesting box now, but we plan to divide it to allow 2 nesting boxes for our 6 girls. I know I should probably incorporate them before the oldest pullet hits 20 weeks, to give her time to check out the box. I am on summer vacation for 2 more weeks and am thinking about trying full integration in another week so I will be here to supervise (putting the chicks at 12-15/16 weeks old).
Should I sneak them in at night? Should I try more free ranging? Should I put them all together during the day in the run and see how they do? Should I wait until they are older? What is the best age?
I'm nervous about this process because I have read some pecking horror stories, and just want to make sure I am doing things as correct as possible. I really appreciate help and advice!!
-I have 3 one and a half year old chickens in our coop/run. We have an ameraucana, buff orpington, and barred rock. -I have 4 newbies that range in age from 11-14/15 weeks old. The youngest is still fairly small, probably half the size of the big girls. I have 2 EEs, 1 frizzle, and 1 silkie/cochin roo (he is 12/13 weeks old).
-The yougins have been raised from babies and were put outside in an adjacent pen to the run about a month ago. They see each other eating.
-I have let them free range together a few times, the ameraucana has pecked a few heads, but nothing serious. The babies hung out in the run without the big girls in there for a couple of hours yesterday.
My run isn't big enough to put the chick pen inside without completely cramping the older ladies. We have plans to expand the run, but it probably won't happen for a few more months. We have one nesting box now, but we plan to divide it to allow 2 nesting boxes for our 6 girls. I know I should probably incorporate them before the oldest pullet hits 20 weeks, to give her time to check out the box. I am on summer vacation for 2 more weeks and am thinking about trying full integration in another week so I will be here to supervise (putting the chicks at 12-15/16 weeks old).
Should I sneak them in at night? Should I try more free ranging? Should I put them all together during the day in the run and see how they do? Should I wait until they are older? What is the best age?
I'm nervous about this process because I have read some pecking horror stories, and just want to make sure I am doing things as correct as possible. I really appreciate help and advice!!
