Integrating Pullets to existing flock...

[Softheart]

I got my 5 Pullets yesterday (approximately 19 wks old.)I have them in a secluded coop run but able to meet rooster and 14 hens. Look don't touch. When should they be able to mingle with my 13 hens? My rooster, Gus and wife Copper, are together but separate from rest of my girls. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you and God Bless.

 

[Chicks in VA]

I would say if there that old to interduce them to each other, put them in the coop at night because if you do that they fight less .if you do this you might want to keep an eye on them for safety reasons.

 

[3KillerBs]

After the quarantine, give them time to get used to each other with the look-don't-touch.

I have read that it helps the process to put scratch or other treats along the fence line so that the two flocks learn to feed together before actually mixing them.

 

[aart]

When should they be able to mingle with my 13 hens?

I'd wait at least a couple weeks.

I would say if there that old to interduce them to each other, put them in the coop at night because if you do that they fight less .if you do this you might want to keep an eye on them for safety reasons.

Eh, not so much.

After the quarantine

What the OP is doing is not quarantine.

Consider biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article


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/

 

[Chicks in VA]

aart guess what they don't fight as much if you put them in there at night is true because I have interduce lots of chickens to each other and they don't fight as much if you put them in at night.

 

[aart]

aart guess what they don't fight as much if you put them in there at night is true because I have interduce lots of chickens to each other and they don't fight as much if you put them in at night.

Not until they wake up in the morning.

Theory is, that they wake up and don't notice there are new birds in there,
but Like @bobbi-j sez: "chickens aren't the brightest animals on this planet, but they're not that stupid."

Seriously, it can work but often does not, so be down there at first light to keep an eye on things.

 

[Chicks in VA]

well it always works for me

 

[Softheart]

aart guess what they don't fight as much if you put them in there at night is true because I have interduce lots of chickens to each other and they don't fight as much if you put them in at night.

Thank you. I will try that after quarantine. In about a week. They're 19weeks old today. I have heard so many different ways but this seems to be most popular. I had to rearrange my older girls to the new coop not fully finished but is perfect for temporary situation. It will be 100% finished by or before Wednesday and all 18 will be in big house with huge run. So excited

 

[Chicks in VA]

Just check on them in the early morning and make sure they are not fighting. Before 8:30 is my recommendation

 

[Auntiejessi3]

How did your integration work out?