going in new flock

[Addy09]

Hey guys just wondering if my 8 week old chickens can go in with other chickens witch are 14 weeks old, will they get killed? will it go ok? please help! thanks!

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC.

Here are some useful articles about integration.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-coop-brooder-and-integration.74591/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-“see-but-don’t-touch”-method.67839/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/adding-to-your-flock.47756/

 

[Addy09]

Welcome to BYC.

Here are some useful articles about integration.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-coop-brooder-and-integration.74591/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-“see-but-don’t-touch”-method.67839/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/adding-to-your-flock.47756/

thanks these are very useful, I would like to put my small little flock in with the big ones should I do it at night?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Did you read the articles? None of them favor putting birds in with each other without properly integrating them first.

 

[3KillerBs]

thanks these are very useful, I would like to put my small little flock in with the big ones should I do it at night?

You should put them into a see-don't touch situation for at least a week, maybe longer, and follow the recommended steps.

This is my thread about a recent integration I did: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/integrating-the-splits-documenting-the-process.1469700/

 

[aart]

I would like to put my small little flock in with the big ones should I do it at night?

That might work, but most often it does not.
How big is your coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would be most helpful here.
How many birds in each age group?

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/

 

[Addy09]

That might work, but most often it does not.
How big is your coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would be most helpful here.
How many birds in each age group?

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/

I will get some pics their is three in my 8 weeks and 10 in the other group.

 

[Addy09]

You should put them into a see-don't touch situation for at least a week, maybe longer, and follow the recommended steps.

This is my thread about a recent integration I did: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/integrating-the-splits-documenting-the-process.1469700/

Alright I will start on that they see each other all the time through the run, your thread was very helpful I pray all goes well.

 

[Addy09]

Did you read the articles? None of them favor putting birds in with each other without properly integrating them first.

Yes I did my chickens are 8 weeks old not two weeks old

 

[rosemarythyme]

Yes I did my chickens are 8 weeks old not two weeks old

8 week olds still need to be integrated in. To me, the older chick stage (8-16 weeks) is probably one of the most difficult integrations - they're too big to easily hide from adults, too small to stand up to adults, and the adults won't accept them because they're big enough to be a threat but too young to have adult hormones to be fully accepted as part of the flock.

Your 14 week olds aren't quite adults but teens are usually pretty hormonal (just like humans) so they can be a little unpredictable in behavior.