Hello I had 5 hens and one rooster and the other night a weasel got my 2 lil hens. So now that coop im down too 3 hens and one rooster. I had a lady give me a rooster and 2 hen a week ago. I would like to get them all in the big coop together. I plan to get some more hens in the spring. So I was told that both flocks are about the same age 8 to 9 months that I should put the new ones in the coop at night when they are roosting. And see how they are in the morning. I was told they shouldn't fight cause they are the same age and young yet. Can you guys plz give me some ideas on how to do this. I don't want any of them hurt and find anymore dead. If that is how I do it im planning in doing it tonight when it gets dark. So ill be checking on here all day for some good ideas...THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH P.S so that coop would have 5 hens and 2 roosters that are 8 to 9 months old..
I have a large coop area for my 3 Isa browns and 5 Cochin chickens. They are about 4-5 weeks apart in age. 4 of the 5 Cochins are Roosters. I have an insulated shed with wire under the frame with 2 coops in there. They are together during the day and sleep separately at night. Isa Browns in 1 coop, Cochins in the other. They do peck at each other but its not to the point of concern where they need to be completely separated. What I did is (when they were inside the house) I had their coops next to each other and when I would bring them all out it would be supervised. Since their coops were next to each other all the time, it got them used to the fact of being around one another. Slowly learning how to "co exist" without devastating fights. They stil have their coops next to each other in the shed outside. The outside of the coop is surrounded by chicken wire and also has wire 2 feet deep in the ground. It would be 97% impossible for any creature to get in the outside part. 99% impossible for predators to get inside the shed where they sleep. I would just put them together supervised and see how they are. Maybe start by having a few together and slowly adding more so you have more control over the environment -IF- they fight.
