Help please

[Mixedcat13298]

I have a group of 6 8 week old chicks and bought two 2 week old chicks this week and I need help getting them together my one sex link pullet is friendly to them but my 8 week old rooster isn't if anyone has ideas on who to integrate them I would love to hear peoples tricks of the trade please

 

[Ila88]

Is the rooster attacking or just pecking? Generally there is some pecking when new ones are introduced. They will get used to each other.

 

[Peeps61]

I'd put the littles in a see but don't touch situation for a week or so. Then, let them out together and see how they do. I have a multigenerational flock, so all my birds are used to youngsters coming in. This is how I do it and all my birds are fully integrated for this year. I have 3 month olds all the way up to 4 1/2 year olds.

 

[flowerfaeiry]

I put a dog crate inside the coop with the younger ones for about a week. Then I take all the adults outside the coop and let the young ones loose in the coop a few times, then bring just one calm adult in with them. They usually scare the adult since she had no one to back her up. Do it again with two adults. Then I let them all together and the are fine.

 

[Mixedcat13298]

Tha KS everyone it just seems like the big one just attack the newbies but we are on day three of them being see but no touch and I will definitely use the sex link hens 1st they are the nicest

 

[aart]

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.

Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock