Integrating new chickens

[liesldanyluk]

I currently have a silver laced Wyandotte and two silkies and I just got two frizzled bantam chicks and a blue laced Wyandotte, do you think they will integrate well together when the chicks get old enough to put outside?

 

[Stephine]

There is so much to learn about integration, I highly recommend searching this site and reading through some threads - it has all been discussed before and at length.
In short: give the newcomers their own space where the two groups can see but not touch each other. After that you can try integrating as chicks, making sure the little ones have an area with feed, water and a place to sleep that only they can access for when they need a break feom the bigger chickens. Or wait until they are big enough to fight back or at least not be too easily injured (about 16 weeks) and integrate then - but the period of “look but don’t touch” will be essential for this. Anyway, have fun reading.

 

[aart]

How old are your older birds?

I brood and integrate chicks into the adults coop while very young:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

There is so much to learn about integration, I highly recommend searching this sight and reading through some threads

This^^^


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