Help integrating two full grown flocks

[Chickens5433]

I had a flock of 7 hens that are almost 1 year old. I recently picked up 8 hens from another person who was down sizing. I first got them and separated them with a fencing of chicken wire so they can both see each other but cannot make contact.

Once my full sized hens were on the perch at night time I took the 8 I recently just got and put them onto the perch with them

is this acceptable for them at night to sleep together.
When they were separated in the run a few of them went at it in between the fencing I only allow them together supervised. Today is day one. Thank you for any advice!

 

[Mamatomany123]

You really should have quarantined them for a while before putting then with your flock but what's done is done. Hopefully they are healthy. I would get them off of the roost. Chickens arent stupid. When morning comes they are going to go at it. The best route is slow integration. See but not touch. Then slowly add them in.

 

[aart]

I first got them and separated them with a fencing of chicken wire so they can both see each other but cannot make contact.

Once my full sized hens were on the perch at night time I took the 8 I recently just got and put them onto the perch with them

This all happened in the first day?


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/