Integrating

[RobC123]

I’m about to integrate my 3 month old chickens into my existing flock that is 6 months old. Do u guys think they’re too young and will get pecked too much?Please let me know suggestions and how I can make this go smooth. Thank you!

 

[RobC123]

I’m about to integrate my 3 month old chickens into my existing flock that is 6 months old. Do u guys think they’re too young and will get pecked too much?Please let me know suggestions and how I can make this go smooth. Thank you!

These are the 3 month ones

 

[chickenlittle21]

Integrate them slowly: first step: have them where they can see each other (example: separate the coop into 2 sections with chicken wire) step 2: put them together under supervision a couple times a day, if they are nice to each other slowly let them be together for more time with less supervision then let them be together all day and night.

Remember: if they peck at each other a bit that's perfectly fine. If they are being aggressive to each other or drawing blood, separate them immediately.

Also, integration might be confusing, scary, or stressful to the chickens, so look for signs of that.

 

[RobC123]

Integrate them slowly: first step: have them where they can see each other (example: separate the coop into 2 sections with chicken wire) step 2: put them together under supervision a couple times a day, if they are nice to each other slowly let them be together for more time with less supervision then let them be together all day and night.

Remember: if they peck at each other a bit that's perfectly fine. If they are being aggressive to each other or drawing blood, separate them immediately.

Also, integration might be confusing, scary, or stressful to the chickens, so look for signs of that.

I know I’m not looking forward to it . I did this before and they all were smaller and got pecked and were bleeding. I’m hoping for a better turnout this time, thank you!

 

[chickenlittle21]

I know I’m not looking forward to it . I did this before and they all were smaller and got pecked and were bleeding

Really? Most of my integrations have been successful, even, surprisingly enough, with 8 week olds and year old chickens (males and females at that) that have never been integrated, but it went pretty well (even with Arnold the roo who hates changes). I hope this integration goes well for you!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Integration often works a lot better when they're younger, IF you're properly set up for it, so unfortunately your birds are too big to use a panic room set up.

See but no touch for a week or more is still important before you try to give them access to each other, as is having ample space and clutter to let the younger birds run away or hide: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[aart]

I did this before and they all were smaller and got pecked and were bleeding. I’m hoping for a better turnout this time

Not gonna be any easier now that they are older.
Post some pics of your setup, coops and runs, for specific suggestions.

Meanwhile, here's some tips about......
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/