How to merge and move flocks at the same time

[ChicknWing]

I am stuck in figuring out a solution for a bind I'm finding myself in. At the moment, I have two separate flocks living in three separate coops. Flock 1, around 30 chickens plus a rooster occupy a single run but sleep in two separate coops. Everyone gets along well. The 2nd flock consists of 5 hens and a rooster in their own coop. This flock has been isolated from the larger flock due to space constraints I had when I obtained them. Neither flock has seen each other. While I've added / assimilated new chickens to the existing flock in the past, my issue is how do I merge both flocks into a brand new coop. If I move the existing larger flock into the new coop and the smaller one into their old coop and allow them to see each other but not interact for a while, then how will the smaller flock know to start using the new bigger coop once they've integrated and vice vers? Or should I just move both flocks into the new coop one night and hope for the best? Since both flocks will be in a new coop, they will be equally confused and not fight as much? I wouldn't be so concerned if I did not have the second rooster to contend with. My biggest fear is that the two roosters will start fighting each other at daybreak when I'm still asleep and neither will be able to 'get away' from the other due to being confined in the new coop. I did try searching for this issue but only found info about one or the other - moving chickens to a new coop or how to combine flocks. But not trying to do both at the same time.

Appreciate any and all suggestions.

 

[Folly's place]

Moving the hens and introducing them to each other may go well, if they are all going to new coops at the same time. It's the roosters that will be an issue, and it can be difficult/ impossible to have two adult cocks get along. There's no way that I would lock them in the same coop together!
Mary

 

[rosemarythyme]

Not sure how to best address the rooster situation, but if both flocks are moved into a new environment at the same time, that should be enough to upset their routine that you should be able to merge them at the same time without pecking order issues breaking out.

 

[aart]

Or should I just move both flocks into the new coop one night and hope for the best?

Yep, but be down there at the crack of dawn to take care of any blood shed.
I hope your new coop is very large, the more space the better, with lots of roosts and hiding places, and multiple feeders and waterers.
Is there a large run attached to new coop?
Do you normally free range?

 

[ChicknWing]

Thank you everyone for your input. The new coop is certainly larger than the existing ones with plenty of roosting space. But there are no hiding places in it. There is however a somewhat large run attached to the existing coops where water and food is kept. The new coop will also open into the same run. I do have plans to expand that as well. The chickens are confined to the run are for most of the day and free range for about an hour or so towards the evening. I live in a somewhat rural area with lots of predators around - Foxes, Bobcats, Hawks & Raccoons, and have lost 10 to 12 chickens to them over the past year or so. Thus, I limit the time they free range.

I think I will follow the advice of moving everyone at the same time and see how it goes. I'll install a couple of cameras in the coop so that I can keep a better eye on the situation and react if needed.

In case things don't go as planned, then I was thinking that I will confine each roo into his own coop & run area for a week or two. That way, they will be able to see & 'talk' to each other but not fight. After that, I can try letting them be together and see how they behave. If they still go at each other, then I might lock them up inside their respective coops for a few days so that they do not see the hens nor each other. That might help them 'forget' where they are / their 'territory and start anew.

 

[aart]

How big is 'larger' and "somewhat large" in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics are always a big help.

Yes, it's very good that you have some separate enclosures in case of trouble.

 

[ChicknWing]

The entire coop is 16' x 12'. Though I've designated about 6' x 11' for storage of supplies. This leaves about 8' x 11' for the actual coop portion. During the initial period where they will be kept inside 24x7 to get acquainted with their new home, I'm going to leave a 6x6 area of the storage space available to them as well. I was thinking of putting their food & water in that space.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I assume you don't have a programmable auto door? One possible way to deal with any potential discord would be to program it to open a little earlier than sunrise, which would at least provide an avenue of escape for birds that really need it (I did that when I was last integrating chicks, they didn't need to use it but it was there as an option).

The flexible storage space would be great to have open during this period to stretch out space. Not sure how many feeders/waterers you have but ideally you want to spread them all out to minimize any fights over resources.

 

[aart]

The flexible storage space would be great to have open during this period to stretch out space.

Not sure how many feeders/waterers you have but ideally you want to spread them all out to minimize any fights over resources.

Both of these for sure.

Even with the entire 12x16 it could be tight for 37 birds.
If you don't have multiple feeders and waterers I suggest you get some.

Best of luck, let us know how it goes!

 

[Folly's place]

I agree that the entire space should be available to them, and add places for birds to be out of sight. Your metal garbage cans for feed and stuff almost against one wall, for example, and plywood attached partway up part of that divider, as a start. At least three, maybe four feeders, and at least two waterers, in separate areas.
If the run is safe, have that open too.
All the best,
Mary