Integrating a younger flock

[ccpiner]

Two of my flocks are about 8 weeks apart in age. The older of the two has a NHR rooster. I’m afraid to combine because I’m afraid the younger group, 12 weeks old, are too young and small to handle his testosterone. They have been in the same run separated by hardware cloth for several weeks. At what age would you attempt to combine the two? I don’t want his morning mating ritual to injure an immature hen. Anyone dealt with this?

 

[igorsMistress]

Two of my flocks are about 8 weeks apart in age. The older of the two has a NHR rooster. I’m afraid to combine because I’m afraid the younger group, 12 weeks old, are too young and small to handle his testosterone. They have been in the same run separated by hardware cloth for several weeks. At what age would you attempt to combine the two? I don’t want his morning mating ritual to injure an immature hen. Anyone dealt with this?

Hi. He won’t be interested in any pullet that isn’t laying or getting ready to. I would integrate now

 

[ccpiner]

Hi. He won’t be interested in any pullet that isn’t laying or getting ready to. I would integrate now

 

[ccpiner]

Thank you. He grabbed one of my Creveceours by the neck and pinned her when she slipped out. I got her before anything happened so I wasn't sure what he’d do.

 

[RoosterML]

Thank you. He grabbed one of my Creveceours by the neck and pinned her when she slipped out. I got her before anything happened so I wasn't sure what he’d do.

He is just showing her who is boss. Stop butting in or you’ll make it worse.
Unless it’s really bad like going to cause blood stay away they need to figure themselves out.

 

[aart]

Two of my flocks are about 8 weeks apart in age. The older of the two has a NHR rooster. I’m afraid to combine because I’m afraid the younger group, 12 weeks old, are too young and small to handle his testosterone. They have been in the same run separated by hardware cloth for several weeks. At what age would you attempt to combine the two? I don’t want his morning mating ritual to injure an immature hen. Anyone dealt with this?

So the cockerel is 20 weeks old?
How many birds total... and how big is your coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help here.

He won’t be interested in any pullet that isn’t laying or getting ready to.

Well, a 'good' cockerel won't, but that is rare.

He is dealing with both immature hormone driven brain and new birds in his territory.
If he just briefly pins them then walks away, let it play out.
If he unceasingly chases them down, might be good to leave him in on one side of the run while the girls figure things out(which could also involve some chasing and pecking).

Here's some tips about.....
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.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[NatJ]

Two of my flocks are about 8 weeks apart in age. The older of the two has a NHR rooster. I’m afraid to combine because I’m afraid the younger group, 12 weeks old, are too young and small to handle his testosterone. They have been in the same run separated by hardware cloth for several weeks. At what age would you attempt to combine the two? I don’t want his morning mating ritual to injure an immature hen. Anyone dealt with this?

You could let them together but stand there and watch them. If you think there will be actual injuries, then grab the appropriate bird or toss some treats or chase them around a little to break it up. If you try it in the evening, they will probably all try to sleep in their usual places, which makes it easy if you want to separate them again. Or if you try in the morning, you will see the cockerel at his "worst," and if it's OK then it may remain OK.

Lots of situation work just fine when you try it, but lots of other situations have a problem if you try it--which is why I recommend trying it but watching, and being willing to re-divide if needed.

 

[igorsMistress]

So the cockerel is 20 weeks old?
How many birds total... and how big is your coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help here.

Well, a 'good' cockerel won't, but that is rare.

He is dealing with both immature hormone driven brain and new birds in his territory.
If he just briefly pins them then walks away, let it play out.
If he unceasingly chases them down, might be good to leave him in on one side of the run while the girls figure things out(which could also involve some chasing and pecking).

Here's some tips about.....
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.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

Well I’ve had a lot of roosters and none of them were interested in pullets before they were about to lay or had started. Even when their hormones were raging. Not all of them were “good roosters.” I suppose results may vary but my answer was based on my experience.

 

[ccpiner]

So the cockerel is 20 weeks old?
How many birds total... and how big is your coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help here.

Well, a 'good' cockerel won't, but that is rare.

He is dealing with both immature hormone driven brain and new birds in his territory.
If he just briefly pins them then walks away, let it play out.
If he unceasingly chases them down, might be good to leave him in on one side of the run while the girls figure things out(which could also involve some chasing and pecking).

Here's some tips about.....
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.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

So the cockerel is 20 weeks old?
How many birds total... and how big is your coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help here.

Well, a 'good' cockerel won't, but that is rare.

He is dealing with both immature hormone driven brain and new birds in his territory.
If he just briefly pins them then walks away, let it play out.
If he unceasingly chases them down, might be good to leave him in on one side of the run while the girls figure things out(which could also involve some chasing and pecking).

Here's some tips about.....
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.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

So the cockerel is 20 weeks old?
How many birds total... and how big is your coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help here.

Well, a 'good' cockerel won't, but that is rare.

He is dealing with both immature hormone driven brain and new birds in his territory.
If he just briefly pins them then walks away, let it play out.
If he unceasingly chases them down, might be good to leave him in on one side of the run while the girls figure things out(which could also involve some chasing and pecking).

Here's some tips about.....
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.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

Run is 24’ x 12’ I have them separated in the same run the smaller ones have about 4’ x 12’ of the run. The rooster is only aggressive in the morning, right out of the coop. That will most likely be the most worrisome time.

Well I’ve had a lot of roosters and none of them were interested in pullets before they were about to lay or had started. Even when their hormones were raging. Not all of them were “good roosters.” I suppose results may vary but my answer was based on my experience.

 

[ccpiner]

View attachment 2355108

Run is 24’ x 12’ I have them separated in the same run the smaller ones have about 4’ x 12’ of the run. The rooster is only aggressive in the morning, right out of the coop. That will most likely be the most worrisome time.

There are 5 in each group. A total of 9 hens and one rooster.