Integration

[Ohioduckman]

We have 8 chicks 7 weeks old. 2 unfortunately are roos. Going to go buy a few more. Question, is interesting younger chicks easier? Thinking 6 weeks old with 13 week old chicks if we pull the plug. Looking at Dominque, Rhoad Island Reds, Golden Wyandotte chicks. We have a Buff, 1 EE, 2 sex links, Barred Rock, 1 creme legbar. The 2 roos will have to go.

 

[aart]

Sometimes younger is easier, but territory issues can still reign and 13 weeks is not that young.

Consider biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article

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/