integrating flocks

[courtshep]

I am hatching out some eggs and already have a 1 year old flock. I was talking to the Extension agent, and she told me under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should I mix in my new birds. WHAT!? It never occured to me (duh) that this would be a problem. Now I am panicking over having to build a second coop. Should I be this worried??? HELP

 

[moms_coop]

I'm not sure why that would be a problem. I've done it for years with no problems. Sometimes you have to watch for aggression in some birds. Introduce them slowly. Maybe fence off a section for the new birds so they can get used to each other. I'm sure some others will have ideas.
Sally

 

[ChikeeMomma]

Hi there. I have added adult birds to my flock with no problem. The first day they decide who's boss and what not. I do have some EE pullets that are 10 weeks old that in another two weeks I will totally integrate in with the adults. I have had them since they were six weeks old. They have been in the same coop but with a wire partition wall between them. Now when I am outside I have been letting the little ones free range, too. The adults do come over to see them, but don't have much of an interest.