Integrating

[Chickerina]

I currently have two 5 month old hens and one rooster that need to be integrated to my OG flock of two 1 year old hens. I tried a few months back but they killed one so we had to separate again.. I’m just nervous to integrate again as they have already pecked one out of this world and am worried they’ll do the same thing again.

They have been separated for three months but can see each other (I know three months is long but I have two silkies that needed to grow a bit more). Whenever I gave them treats or any snacks, I put it one both sides of the chicken wire so they can eat “together”. So im thinking they’re used to each other, I just am nervous to integrate. What would be the next best step?

Coop is closed, they do not free range but have enough space. I don’t know exact measurements but they have maybe 4 foot wide, 8 feet long and 6 feet tall coop??

Thank you in advance!

 

[WIchickMama]

can you do an hour or two supervised integrating? sitting out there and watching? maybe it is just one that is over picking and you could separate that one.

 

[_-Captain BRM-_]

Are you moving the younger flock IN with the old hens? Like, into the old hens coop?

 

[Chickerina]

can you do an hour or two supervised integrating? sitting out there and watching? maybe it is just one that is over picking and you could separate that one.

We were planning on moving them in at night and then supervising the rest of the day. I think we figured out which one it is that initially was too aggressive, so I’ll make sure if it happens again, to separate her. Thank you

 

[Chickerina]

Are you moving the younger flock IN with the old hens? Like, into the old hens coop?

yes, we are moving our younger hens into the older hens coop. But how it is built right now, they are technically in the coop, just separated. They live on one side of the run, so as soon as the older hens wake up, the first thing they see are the younger ones.

 

[_-Captain BRM-_]

yes, we are moving our younger hens into the older hens coop. But how it is built right now, they are technically in the coop, just separated. They live on one side of the run, so as soon as the older hens wake up, the first thing they see are the younger ones.

I wonder if switching them around would make it an easier transition. When the new chickens are put in the old hens coop, which is new to them, they will be much more curious and vulnerable.

 

[WIchickMama]

I wonder if switching them around would make it an easier transition. When the new chickens are put in the old hens coop, which is new to them, they will be much more curious and vulnerable.

I have heard of this before, suggested from some of the more seasoned folk here on BYC before for other chicken keepers

 

[FC16]

I wonder if switching them around would make it an easier transition. When the new chickens are put in the old hens coop, which is new to them, they will be much more curious and vulnerable.

This sounds a good idea.
I added 2 hens into my all hens flock recently, I probably didn’t do it the best and safest way but it works.
Under supervision, I just let the 2 new ones stroll in, the 2 toughest hens of my original flock tried to fight them, they had a bit of a fight (I would’ve split it up if it got too nasty), after the quick fight they had found their positions in the pecking order and now all get along

 

[Chickerina]

This sounds a good idea.
I added 2 hens into my all hens flock recently, I probably didn’t do it the best and safest way but it works.
Under supervision, I just let the 2 new ones stroll in, the 2 toughest hens of my original flock tried to fight them, they had a bit of a fight (I would’ve split it up if it got too nasty), after the quick fight they had found their positions in the pecking order and now all get along

So I tried introducing them again, didn’t work. Our two older hens were cornering the little and repeatedly pecking them, they were seeking them out. So we tried reverse, the older hens were separate and then re introduced. Interestingly, our silkie roo started protecting “his” coop. Our hen didn’t back down though and he lost the fight. Lastly, we put pinless peepers on one of them and tried again, and it worked! She was pretty mad but it helped so much that the littles are not even afraid to lay next to the older hens. Now my concern is that since we only let ONE back in, will they gang up on the other one? This one was the extremely aggressive one so we wanted her to come back first as the other hen wasn’t too bad.