Integrating new breeds

[oceansunset73]

Hello,

I currently have five Rhode Island Red/Production Red hens, all three years old. They were all raised together from the beginning.

I am planning on integrating four more girls this spring.

I already know about the see don’t touch method. My question is which breeds would be best to integrate them with. My girls can be pretty bossy. So I do not want to get new girls that are too docile, I’m afraid extremely docile ones would get overly bullied. Breed suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Agree with you, RIR got attitude ... Maybe Leghorns? Assuming you're after the eggs but not sure if egg color matters.

 

[oceansunset73]

Egg color doesn’t matter. Thank you.

 

[Mrs. K]

You might also divide and conquer. Reds can be a bit much, so instead of all of nothing, you might divide up your Reds and introduce all of the new birds to part of the old birds, wait several days until that settles, then add in the others.

Another trick, that I have found very successful, is to lock out the old birds of the coop/run, locking in the new birds. This allows the new birds to get used to the set up without being chased for their lives. This allows the old birds to see the new birds in their territory, and the sky does not fall.

In a way it is a 'see but no touch' technique. However, most people put the new birds in a sectioned off area leaving the old birds in their territory. If you flip it, giving the new birds the main territory, it can help quite a bit.

I wait until nearly dark to let them mix, then the urge to roost is about even with the urge to fight.

Sometimes you will get a vicious bird that won't let it go. Let her go, wishing won't make chickens nice. The more new you add, the better it will go, so if you can, think about adding 6-8, with the idea, that you will see how it goes, and then remove birds until you get a nice flock.

Space is crucial, basically you are doubling your flock, measure to make sure you have that much room. Too little space makes integration incredibly difficult.

Mrs K

 

[oceansunset73]

Another trick, that I have found very successful, is to lock out the old birds of the coop/run, locking in the new birds. This allows the new birds to get used to the set up without being chased for their lives. This allows the old birds to see the new birds in their territory, and the sky does not fall.

I love this idea.

 

[aart]

I love this idea.

It is a good technique to curb/foil territoriality.

Space is crucial, basically you are doubling your flock, measure to make sure you have that much room. Too little space makes integration incredibly difficult.

Don't forget this part tho^^^


These tips might help too....
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/