Flock Integration and space...how old is old enough?

[Mrs. K]

what are the chances my 1 1/2 year old roo tries to kill my 9 wk old roo?

It just depends on a lot of factors. If the chick is still very chick like, the odds are better. If the mature rooster is a lot bigger than the new rooster, that helps too. But by week 14-16, sometimes even earlier, that younger rooster is going to get interested in the ladies. IF the older rooster sees that as a threat, then it can get ugly, as to the death.

If you are going to try two roosters, do it ASAP BUT not before you have a way to separate them set up. If you have to separate them, you have to do it right now, you won't have time.

Mrs K

 

[PacMan1582]

Well here goes nothing. I'm doing it tonight... I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[NTBugtraq]

what are the chances my 1 1/2 year old roo tries to kill my 9 wk old roo?

High. IMO, you want to integrate a cockerel with a roo, you gotta wait till the cockerel and survive a fight with the roo.

I put 11 week 3 day-old pullets in with my main flock today. Main flock has 10+ month-old pullets and 3 yr-old hens. My young pullets are all bunched in a corner, but since there are 7 of them, no one is being pecked to bad. This is only day 1, so hopefully its gets better not worse. At the same time, I put 4 week olds into the run with 11 week+ cockerels. The older birds were very interested until I opened the run up to the outside run, then all the older birds went outside, leaving the 4 week-olds access to food and water without a fight.

 

[PacMan1582]

I added them tonight, the older roo is just going about his business not even messing with him... We'll see as time goes on.

 

[leedyfeathers]

I have chicks that I raised from a home made brooder and sectioned off part of my coop to keep them in. as soon as they wrre dry i put them in with the lamp and hoped for the best. My chicks found a way to get into the big chickens side I thought all was dead when I couldn't find them.I called them and here they came out from the coop! During the day and unharmed I fixed that hole all was fine until I let them into the covered sectioned off part of their pen one day somewhere.. still have not found out but they kept escaping. Out into the big pen which stays open for free ranging. I just stopped putting them back in and they just go in like the others.. except now they fallow one of the boys and fly on top of my coop to roost. Big chickens really dont bother them or go after them but they seem happier to segregate them selves for some reason.

 

[getaclue]

Just remember when integrating, make sure the established flock is allowing the newcomers to eat, and drink. I usually put extra feeders, and waterers in for that purpose. A hay bale works good for a visual barricade for the newcomers to hide behind for a bit, but I center it, so they don't get hemmed in by the others.

 

[alibabba]

I have basically 5 separate but together flocks ranging around the yard. Space is a wonderful thing.

Kept 2 momma broodies in their own (grass pens). CA chicks in their own (grass pen) and the rest of the flock which include a roo and 3 integrated pullets.

I just open the pens and out they all go. No fuss, no pecking. Big Wilma moves everyone from the food, and water and they don't mess with her, but I have 4 different stations. and about 1/4 acre fenced.

The CA chicks even have a little maybe 6 week old Ameraucana in there and no problems.

Another thing I read is to, take the nasty hens out and let the littles in. Give them a couple days to acclimate and the baddies to get an attitude adjustment. and it makes a lot of difference. I may be doing just that shortly, so that I can ge the CA chicks in the big coop with out harassment. The big hens don't do anything but mouth off from the roosts and it is daunting to the younger ones.

 

[getaclue]

I've had to cage a couple bullies before too.

 

[Scottw]

I have a flock of 5 hens that are 5 months old, I was just given 3 new hens that are 4 months old. What is the best way to introduce the new ones into the flock?

 

[lazy gardener]

Do you let your birds out to free range? When I integrate, I put the newbies where the others can see them for a few days, then let them mingle in the run, or preferably free ranging. Then, after all goes well with that, it's time to let them share space in the coop. Always give them escape routes, and hiding places, extra feed and water stations.