Integrating chickens

[SapphicDyad]

We have been raising chickens for several months now and we're kind of new at this. We have 2 dark brown Bantam hens and 3 Silkies even smaller than the Bantams. We had 2 plymouth rock chickens that were much bigger than the rest and they were mean to the other chickens, pecking at them and leaving wounds so we gave them away. Last month we got 6 Rhode Island red chicks. We know that those get quite big so we were wondering if we're going to have the same problem and if we need to separate them or if we can eventually incorporate them in. The weather just started getting warmer so we have sectioned off a part of the run so they can have some outside time as well as get acquainted with the other chickens through the fence. Any information you guys can offer would be greeaaatttt!

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC!

Bantams and LF often don't do well together and so are housed separately.
Might help that the LF are now chicks and will be lower in the pecking order at first.
Tho RIR are often pretty aggressive birds.
May depend on how big your coop and run is.
Dimensions and pics might help.

This is how I integrate chicks into the flock.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/


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