Integrating new chickens

[CheeseandCackles]

Hello All,

I have two mini flocks right now and I’m trying to integrate them. The older flock is three hens and a rooster all about 8 months old or so and a group of 6 pullets about 5 months old. They’ve been living side by side for a couple months now as the younger ones grew larger. Now they’re pretty similar in size and I’m having trouble figuring out how to combine the two groups.

The older group has a run that’s about 15ftx5ft. They free range together sometimes when I’m home. But the younger ones run away from the older ones so much they don’t interact a ton. When they do get close they get grabbed by the neck.

I’m tentative to throw them all in a small space (the 15x10 run) to make them work out their differences, but I’m not sure how to force this integration without doing so.

I’m tempted to try the at night add, but not sure there won’t be serious issues in the coop. Suggestions please?

 

[BDutch]

Hi CC,
Can you make a passage from one run to the other and keep the two coops just as they are? It is not a good solution to put them in a small space. Bigger is better.

They are old enough to mingle. It is normal that the higher in the pecking order show the younger ones to be humble. Are there hiding places for chicken that get pecked? If there is enough space and the pecking is mild there is no reason to keep them seperated.

Please post some pics for good advice.

 

[aart]

Hi CC,
Can you make a passage from one run to the other and keep the two coops just as they are? It is not a good solution to put them in a small space. Bigger is better.

They are old enough to mingle. It is normal that the higher in the pecking order show the younger ones to be humble. Are there hiding places for chicken that get pecked? If there is enough space and the pecking is mild there is no reason to keep them seperated.

Please post some pics for good advice.

Good idea!
Might let the olders out to range then let the youngers access the other part of run and coop so they can explore without being harassed.
Yes, pics please.


Here's some tips that might help
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.