Integrating hens

[xjonesy]

I have 4 hens that are 18 weeks old and 1 that is 5 weeks old. I have my coop and run split in half so that the small chick doesn't get killed by the other 4 hens.

Tonight I'm buying 2 White Leghorns -- I can purchase them anywhere between 5 and 14 weeks old. What would you suggest -- buying 5 week old chicks and putting them with my other 5-week old chick, or buying older (14 week old) ones and putting them with my 4 hens?

When integrating hens, do ALL hens need to be integrated slowly, or is it just the size that matters -- i.e., putting a small chick with a large chick doesn't work?

Thanks!

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Here's a BYC Learning Center link on how do best integrate flocks:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-adding-to-your-flock

 

[a2ms4chickens]

All of the chickens need to be integrated slowly. They have a better chance of not being pecked to death, if they are the same size and can fight back.

I keep the chickens that I want to add to the flock in a kennel for a week or two, so the other chickens can get used to having them around. Once I see that the other chickens are pretty much ignoring them, then I will put them on the perch at night so they wake up together. There may be some fighting for a couple of days, but that is to establish the pecking order. I just keep an eye on them the first day.

So far, no blood has been shed and all is well.

Good luck on your new chickens!!