Flock integration

[Mikep7719]

Is it better to integrate a younger flock at their current age of 16 weeks or wait till they've matured. My older flock of 5 are quite the bullies so I'm not sure if its better to wait till the younglings are fully grown. Any tips are appreciated

 

[CindyinSD]

I have a small tractor-style coop in my run for newbies or formerly sick birds or injured birds to integrate or reintegrate with the larger flock.

OTOH, I've found, usually, that just dumping a big crowd of new grow-outs into the general population overwhelms the home crowd and they don't fight. The newbies are new and no one's attacking them, so they're good with that and they don't want a scrap either. Of course, all flocks are different.

 

[Mikep7719]

I have a small tractor-style coop in my run for newbies or formerly sick birds or injured birds to integrate or reintegrate with the larger flock.

OTOH, I've found, usually, that just dumping a big crowd of new grow-outs into the general population overwhelms the home crowd and they don't fight. The newbies are new and no one's attacking them, so they're good with that and they don't want a scrap either. Of course, all flocks are different.

I've had the younglings in the run but separated from the flock for a month now. Tried testing an intergration but two hens are real bullies. I might just wait till they're ful size. Thanks for the tip!

 

[Mrs. K]

I think it depends on the number of birds being added to the number of old birds, and the space and set up that you have.

Home turf positive, new digs negative
old birds positive, new birds negative
Try and get that to zero and you won't have much problems.

Often times a big mistake is adding new birds and strangers to a new situation. They are then overwhelmed by the established flock defending their territory, and have no idea where to go or how to escape and get out of eyesight of the older birds.

A trick that has worked well for me, is to lock out the established flock, or flip the established flock into the set up for the chicks, the chicks into the main coop/run. Leave them that way for the whole day, feeding along a shared fence line if you can. If you have hideouts in the main run area, rearrange them. Makes home territory look a bit less like home.

This allows the newbies, to explore the new to them set up without being chased for their lives. It allows the old birds to see the new birds in the set up without the sky falling. You can then as close as possible to full dark, let the old ones back in, where as the urge to roost is about as strong as the urge to fight. Fighting in the dark does not often happen.

Sometimes you will need to split your older birds, into the really mean and not so mean group. Add the not so mean group to the babies, and wait several days to even a week, then add in the really mean group.

Sometimes then there will be one that just does not fit, and raises havoc. Cull her. Always solve for the peace in your flock.

Mrs K

 

[Mrs. K]

I saw a later post where as, the younger birds were in eye sight, but had a safety zone. Depending on the size difference, can you make so the younger birds could escape into the safety zone, through openings (need a couple) the older birds cannot fit through?

Then they work it out on their own terms. I let the chicks decide when they want to venture forth, or escape back. Works much better than humans trying to decide how to do it.

Mrs K

 

[CindyinSD]

I saw a later post where as, the younger birds were in eye sight, but had a safety zone. Depending on the size difference, can you make so the younger birds could escape into the safety zone, through openings (need a couple) the older birds cannot fit through?

Then they work it out on their own terms. I let the chicks decide when they want to venture forth, or escape back. Works much better than humans trying to decide how to do it.

Mrs K

Do they remember where to run, though? I put my two groups together last summer all in a day, in portable pastures and tractor coops. I just got tired of setting up two paddocks. There were no problems. But the littles were pretty big by then.

 

[Mrs. K]

Yes, they will definitely head to safety. I let them venture out a bit, and give a mock chase, and they always escape quickly back into the safety zone, however, I do this about 3 weeks old.

There are many ways to do this, and a lot depends on your comfort level, and layout.
If waiting works for you, then do that.

Mrs K

 

[CindyinSD]

I'll have to wait anyhow if we keep getting this icky weather. Nice day today, though!

 

[Mrs. K]

I think I am just going to read Florida's weather forecast, it is more what I want! haha

 

[aart]

Water under the bridge now, but....
Best way is to integrate at 4-6 weeks....but you've got to be setup for it.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

Tried testing an intergration but two hens are real bullies. I might just wait till they're ful size.

That's not going to make things much, if any, better.
But maybe might, if you wait until the youngers are laying.

I've had the younglings in the run but separated from the flock for a month now.

How big is your coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help here.

These tips about Integration Basics...might help too...

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/