Integrating chickens of similar age

[April Barta]

I have a flock of 15 that are 7 weeks old (are they called chicks still?). Anyway, I have a friend who has a couple that are of similar age that we plan on picking up in a couple weeks which makes them close to 9 weeks. How should I integrate them? Most talk about integrating new girls to older established flock However, these are all still juvenile chickens and do they still require the "see but no touch" method? Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!

 

[Pork Pie]

They do require a gradual approach before being fully integrated. The method you mention would be fine.

 

[April Barta]

They do require a gradual approach before being fully integrated. The method you mention would be fine.

For how long would we do the "look but no touch" before we let them be together? Thanks for the reply!

 

[ChickNanny13]

2x Pork Pie Ken but first the "new" ones should be quarantined for about a month before introduction ... No See No Touch Method.

 

[Pork Pie]

For how long would we do the "look but no touch" before we let them be together? Thanks for the reply!

I would be hesitant to suggest a duration as there are a number of variables that come into play. maybe try a week or so and then let them mingle whilst you are present (be prepared to intervene). If they seem fine, that's good but be prepared to repeat the separation if the new chicks are being bullied.

If your chicks are still in a brooder, space provisions may not be ideal. If they are in a coop, then have a number of feed stations and objects in the run that break up the line of sight (a log, plant pot, rock etc).

 

[aart]

I have a flock of 15 that are 7 weeks old (are they called chicks still?). Anyway, I have a friend who has a couple that are of similar age that we plan on picking up in a couple weeks which makes them close to 9 weeks. How should I integrate them? Most talk about integrating new girls to older established flock However, these are all still juvenile chickens and do they still require the "see but no touch" method? Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!

Integrating new juveniles to existing juveniles can be harder than other integrations.
Might go great, might not.
Ken gave great advice above.

Here's my integration blurb, sorry if you've already seen it.
Integration of new chickens into flock.

Consider biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article
BYC 'quarantine' search

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

 

[April Barta]

Wow! Thank you for your help! @Chicknanny13 mentioned a complete quarantine of No see no touch which we could do. But most seem to suggest See No touch for a few weeks. I like the idea of a divider that allows their heads to make it through to eat scratch together. My 15 have been in their coop for almost a week. They still haven't figured out their pecking order. They are challenging each other when outside but not nearly as much as it was a week ago. I wish I had the girls now so I could just introduce all the change now. In 2 weeks my girls will have things figured out and here I am... throwing in a couple more to disturb the force. LOL. Are they fine to be cooped up together? Just separated run space? Or shall I keep them sleeping separately as well? THANKS AGAIN!

 

[April Barta]

Integrating new juveniles to existing juveniles can be harder than other integrations.
Might go great, might not.
Ken gave great advice above.

Here's my integration blurb, sorry if you've already seen it.
Integration of new chickens into flock.

Consider biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article
BYC 'quarantine' search

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

That link was a great read. We have room in our garage to put the new birds for a bit before we introduce them. I was hoping to avoid that and putting them together sooner since they are so young. Ah the adventures of chicken raising.

 

[aart]

mentioned a complete quarantine of No see no touch which we could do

You're mixing terms...complete quarantine is not the same as 'no see no touch(that's for integration).