Flock Integration - Help!

[Kflores80]

Hi all!


I have been reading a bunch of the threads on similar topics but nothing seems to truly match what I’m asking. I am trying to integrate flocks. My 4 older girls (3 cinnamon queens and a mix breed Key West chicken) are one year old as of Easter. Originally they were in an arched chain coop I bought online from Vevor. This year, we hired someone to build something more substantial and moved them into the new coop. In March, we purchased 4 more babies (cinnamon queens) and when they were big enough, we put them in the chain coop the other ones were once in. We also have a bantam orphan we rescued who is young enough she’s at that awkward ugly stage lol mostly feathered but her neck looks mangy haha! Anyhow, we let our hens out several times a day but never leave them out. The existing flock would always go check out the younger girls through the fence. I read that they shouldn’t be introduced fully until the new birds are at least the size of the smallest one from the original flock. Eventually, I opened the doors to both coops to allow them to mingle. Initially, the older girls chased and pecked the younger girls but became less and less interested in chasing them. Mostly the older flock just goes in to eat their food and leave lol. Sometimes they would half heartedly chase them but not like initially. Now they even graze in the yard semi close to one another. The 4 babies we got are cinnamon queens and are now 13-14 weeks old. The alpha of the young flock has been sizing up the smallest one of the existing flock but the younger ones still run off. They seemed to be doing better so I tried to put them in the same coop all at once. I started with 2 (was that a bad idea??). The older flock chased and chased and chased the girls and tried to corner them. I quickly removed the younger ones and put them back in their own coop… this happened last week. I’ve been allowing them to interact for the past few weeks but the last 2 they seem to be doing better which is why I tried to move them in. Am I being impatient? Did I do something wrong? Is there something I can do to help this? I’m so scared of someone getting hurt. I’ve only had backyard chickens since Easter of last year so I’m learning. I’ve watched many videos and read guides but still feel as clueless as when I started. Does it normally time a long time for this to happen?

 

[Sc_chickengirl]

I often have them set up so they can see each other through the fence for several weeks and get to know each other without getting harmed. Then you can progress to setting them in a cage, a few hours a day in the others pen. You have to take a slower with some than others. Eventually I usually let them out with the older ones under close supervision. Eventually you just have to leave it to them.

 

[Sc_chickengirl]

I also like to supervise them eating together and have them get adjusted to that.

 

[Reggan]

This is what has always worked for me... I keep my newbies in a large enclosure, with a small entrance, inside the same coop - from day one. That way when small, they can get in and out without the larger flock being able to reach them. I open up the small entrance around 4 weeks old. This way they have been in the same coop, since day one and have acclimated over weeks w/ a safe space to retreat. Even then, depending on breeds and hierarchy, it can be testy. Typically the newbies won't roost for months and get picked on. They have to figure it out.
I also free range so this greatly improves stress and fighting.
The way I see it is you are now integrating almost adult chickens into a flock.
Does everyone have plenty of space and places to get away from each other? When integrating, I always add extra feeders and water bowls, as far from each other as possible.
No matter what you have two flocks you are combining now, you aren't integrating chicks. They are going to have to establish an entirely new pecking order, especially without a rooster. If it were me, I would do periods of time under supervision, with all of them together. I wouldn't parcel the newbies when putting them in w/ your older flock. All or nothing. If you have two dominate hens, they are going to have to figure it out. You may have to do timeouts for the last two who won't give up and want to be the dominate one. There's plenty of info out there on how people do time outs for specific infighting. Hopefully this helps...

 

[Kflores80]

This is what has always worked for me... I keep my newbies in a large enclosure, with a small entrance, inside the same coop - from day one. That way when small, they can get in and out without the larger flock being able to reach them. I open up the small entrance around 4 weeks old. This way they have been in the same coop, since day one and have acclimated over weeks w/ a safe space to retreat. Even then, depending on breeds and hierarchy, it can be testy. Typically the newbies won't roost for months and get picked on. They have to figure it out.
I also free range so this greatly improves stress and fighting.
The way I see it is you are now integrating almost adult chickens into a flock.
Does everyone have plenty of space and places to get away from each other? When integrating, I always add extra feeders and water bowls, as far from each other as possible.
No matter what you have two flocks you are combining now, you aren't integrating chicks. They are going to have to establish an entirely new pecking order, especially without a rooster. If it were me, I would do periods of time under supervision, with all of them together. I wouldn't parcel the newbies when putting them in w/ your older flock. All or nothing. If you have two dominate hens, they are going to have to figure it out. You may have to do timeouts for the last two who won't give up and want to be the dominate one. There's plenty of info out there on how people do time outs for specific infighting. Hopefully this helps...

Thank you so much! This helps a ton. I realized a bit too late we could have started integrating them at a much younger age. I can see how that would be much more beneficial. I will add extra food and water bowls like you suggested! Thank you thank you thank you thank you!