Integrating Small Older Flock into Much Larger Younger Flock?

[cmary]

Hello all... well, you all helped me many months ago when I brought my small flock home. Now I need your help again please! I am moving and want to bring my ladies and rooster with me...I have 4 Rhode Island Reds, and one rooster, a Silver Spangled Hamburg. He is a great rooster - good with people but protective of the flock. My chickens are all around 3 years old. Now I have taken a new job (I am a farmer) where I will live at my workplace. They already have a fairly large flock of layer hens - I'd say at least 20-30 - no roosters. They look younger but I've only seen them briefly so it's hard to say. I want to bring my chickens but in order to do so, I will have to integrate them into the existing flock. What is the best way for me to do this? I have a period of about a month and a half to work on it. Thank you!!!!!!

 

[teach1rusl]

I take it you're not concerned about biosecurity issues?? I think a large part depends on how old the other (younger birds) are. If they're not of laying age, I'd say your four (not worried about the rooster...he will do fine within a week or so) will fare much better than if they're full grown, but just younger than yours.
I'd set your chickens a place up with a run, so they can get use to the new place first. Once they see this new place as "home," I'd let them out to free range a bit while the others are out, as long as they know they can run back to their safe area. The next week I might try putting them in the big coop with the others after dark... Whatever you do, I think gradual is best, as well as being around to observe so that nobody gets badly hurt...
Good Luck!

 

[cmary]

The others are definitely laying...does this make a difference? And should I be worried about biosecurity issues?