Integrating New Chicks

[M.sue]

I have a few questions & looking for some wise-chicken advice.

I have an 1 yr. old existing flock of 11 (10 hens & 1 Bantam Roo with a testy attitude) and 3 new pullets & 1 new cockerel (9-10 wk.olds) For the past week I've been slowly integrating them but only through a fence. I want to fully integrate them this weekend. I know from what I've read is to put them in the coop at night when the others have already gone to roost.
I have a few more days before fully attempting this and was wondering if:
1) Could I let them free range first together before I make the big move.
2) Would doing so cause more of a problem as apposed to just waiting & putting them in the big coop on the weekend with out any former mingling?

I'm not really concerned about the hens being together, it's the Roos that I'm concerned about. My Sebright Bantam Roo is often testy and always on guard. He's small & will remain small compared to the size my Barred EE will be.

3) What is the best way to do this to lessen possible fighting among the Roos?

 

[DelDels]

What breeds are they? The youngsters are too young to be directly intermingled. The hens will be more of a problem than the rooster. He will accept the pullets without a problem. The hens will hate everybody.

I would wait until the youngsters are close to the same size as the adults. You can try free ranging together under supervision as long as there is some kind of cover for the little ones to escape to. Don't allow the young ones to get cornered as that is when they will get beaten up.

Carry a broom as you can safely intervene to break up attacks. The two males may always be a problem or it may work out if the youngster doesn't challenge to much. It really depends on the individuals and breeds involved.

 

[M.sue]

What breeds are they? The youngsters are too young to be directly intermingled. The hens will be more of a problem than the rooster. He will accept the pullets without a problem. The hens will hate everybody.

I would wait until the youngsters are close to the same size as the adults. You can try free ranging together under supervision as long as there is some kind of cover for the little ones to escape to. Don't allow the young ones to get cornered as that is when they will get beaten up.

Carry a broom as you can safely intervene to break up attacks. The two males may always be a problem or it may work out if the youngster doesn't challenge to much. It really depends on the individuals and breeds involved.

In my older flock I have 3 Buff Orps, 3 Isa Browns, 3 Black Sex links, 1 Sebright Bantam hen and 1 Bantam Roo. I will be adding 3 EEs- 1 being the other Roo and 1 OEG bantam.
The Bantam Roo is quite testy as I stated but like I also said the younger one will out size the other.
I could keep them separated till the winter and would like them in the big coop during the winter months for it provides better warmth & protection against the elements.

 

[Den in Penn]

Free ranging will let you see how they act toward each other without the wire, while they have room to run and hide. A couple of days with nothing but a few pecks and you can put them together. If there is room to range I don't see any problem with the size difference.

 

[M.sue]

Thank you....I'm gonna try & let them range together. I'll have to get some type of cover for them near the coop & tractor for protection if they need to hide for it's out in the open in a field. The young ones won't venture far at first and we have plenty of space for them to roam.