Any suggestions??? I have 9 hens 17+ months old in my existing flock. 2 Australorps, 2 Red Sex Links, 2 Buff Orpingtons, 3 (white) Silkies. I am soon going to add 4 (blue) 12+ week old Silkies however, 2 are Roos :'( they have crowed for a couple wks now. One of the other two stands up to one roo but not the other & the last one is very meek and timid. I was hoping for at least 2 pullets but I'm not positive on the one, do you think she is just standing her ground even tho she chest bumps a same age roo OR maybe a rooster that isn't crowing? I can not keep any roosters so I'm really just using them to merge the 4 littles into my existing flock. If 3 are roos will it be too stressful to just have one newcomer staying with my flock when I get rid of them one by one? Has anyone else had this problem? If two are pullets, I'll feel a little better (maybe). How do I know for sure about the 3rd? Should I just keep the timid pullet in a pen in my garage as a pet OR is that cruel to not be with other chickens even tho they will pick on her? I never thought of this scenario!
Here's some tips on integration: Integration of new chickens to flock. Consider medical quarantine. 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. Integrating new birds of equal size works best. 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 blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down, 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 to hide out of line of sight and/or up and away from bully birds. Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration This is good place to start reading: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock
Ok thanks, I had read that but read it again in case I missed something. I did quarantine them as chicks. I'm going to put a pen inside my run to introduce them. Do I let the littles sleep in the pen or add a mini-coop for sleeping inside the pen? My 3rd little crowed yesterday morning so I will add all 4 but then should I remove the roos one by one leaving the pullet with my existing ladies? How long should I wait until I remove the roos to make it better for all of them? THANK YOU!