How many can I have?

So if I build another coop for the new chickens, are the two current chickens likely to continue using the current coop to sleep and lay, or are they likely to try and move in with the new chickens once they establish a pecking order?
They'll want to stay in their old coop....but you can fix that.

Here's some tips (below)...and another that fits your scenario:
Another option, if possible, is to put all birds in a new coop and run, this takes the territoriality issues away.

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.


This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:

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This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO: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
 
They'll want to stay in their old coop....but you can fix that.

Here's some tips (below)...and another that fits your scenario:
Another option, if possible, is to put all birds in a new coop and run, this takes the territoriality issues away.

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.


This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:

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
Thanks for the answer.
My reason for asking is, as I've already spent the money and time building the existing coop, maybe I'll leave the two coops in the fenced in area (approx 4000sqft. Let them integrate and use both coops. The older girls will use the older coop, and the new ones use the new ones (to sleep and lay) and share the fenced in area to free range. So using the 300sqft/chicken to free range, I can have about 12 chickens in all. Already have 2, so can get another 10, but need to build a coop and run 40sqft?
This is hypothetical, as I really don't think I want 12 chickens, but have been reading about 'chicken math' and just want to know my limits.
 
Thanks for the answer.
My reason for asking is, as I've already spent the money and time building the existing coop, maybe I'll leave the two coops in the fenced in area (approx 4000sqft. Let them integrate and use both coops. The older girls will use the older coop, and the new ones use the new ones (to sleep and lay) and share the fenced in area to free range. So using the 300sqft/chicken to free range, I can have about 12 chickens in all. Already have 2, so can get another 10, but need to build a coop and run 40sqft?
This is hypothetical, as I really don't think I want 12 chickens, but have been reading about 'chicken math' and just want to know my limits.
The coop alone will need to be at least 40 sqft not including the run.
 

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