intergrading my 2 flocks

[first time farmer]

I have a flock of 10 hens that are about a year to a year and a half and i have 3 that are going to be 5 months next week. Here is my problem...My uncle is getting married next weekend. I need to put the "babies" into the big coop. Is it safe to put them into the coop or are they still too small. The coop they are in now is fine but i need to screw a peace of ply wood to the door every night to keep them in. And going away for the weekend next week i need them to not be locked up all weekend. So can I or should i just come home every night. The wedding is only an hourish away.

 

[Over Easy in Adna]

Depends, are you looking for an answer along the lines of "I think you should skip the wedding just to make sure everything works out okay."

 

[first time farmer]

LOL well since i am in the wedding as of a half an hour ago i have to go.

 

[rainbowgardens]

If they haven't seen each other yet it will be a little more difficult than if they were able to get aquainted gradually through screen. Start by giving them time together a little each day before you lump them all together. Also give yourself time to observe how they do on their first whole day together in case there are issues.

 

[Mahonri]

At five months I would think they would work out the pecking order thing within a couple of days

 

[Cetawin]

You could do what I did...make temporary wall of chicken wire inside the coop. Put the younger ones securely behind the chicken wire wall with food and water of their own.

Let them get used to each other with the "wall" between them and turning them out together becomes easier in a week or so.

 

[Zuesdude]

Try putting in one first and see what would happens. Or put one in a smaller cage and put the smaller gage inside the with the older birds.

If that doesn't work place a bird in a smaller cage and place the cage next to your run for them to see each other.

 

[JennsPeeps]

10:3 means that there are lots of adults to harass the youngsters. I would try to introduce them now if possible, but not leave them unattended for any length of time until you're 100% certain that pecking won't happen. We've got 7 young'uns & 3 adults. The integration process has been bloody so far, so we're keeping them apart unless supervised for now.

 

[krkyoldhag]

I have 3 old hens, 3 old roosters, 12 Three month olds, and 50 3 week old chickens.

So ...from what you saying..risky to pen them together. BUT do you think would be successful putting the 12 and 50 together ?

The old ones are pets..long past prime but we don't eat our pets.

any advice is helpful....I will try the screen/wire split yard first just in case.

But since there 50 of the babies...and 12 of the older ones maybe it would work out? Without bloodshed?

 

[Ridgerunner]

You are dealing with living animals and you cannot fully control how they will react. As you may have noticed, they each have their own personality. However, you can exert some influence on them. I find this link to be a good source of information both on how to integrate flocks and what to look out for if something doesn't go rght.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-adding-to-your-flock

Good Luck!