Intro of little girls help!

[ANiceKaren]

Hi friends! I’m looking for some advice on how to introduce my 5 week old hens to my existing flock. I have 2 14 week old hens, a rooster (unplanned) , and looking to introduce my 5 week old hens. I have had them in a parallel run next to big girls run for past week. The first time the big girls noticed them in run they were very interested and a few pecks through the wire. At this point, they don’t seem too interested in them anymore. Should I wait till they are the same size or can I start letting them free range together at this point? Appreciate the help!

 

[Stipenvlerk]

I would start with a limited time together, supervised before they can freerange together

 

[aart]

I have had them in a parallel run next to big girls run for past week.

Do the youngers have a coop there too, so 24/7 living next to the olders?
Are the olders already ranging?
Might let the olders out to range and let the youngers explore the main coop and run without harassment.
5 weeks is pretty young to range, easy pickin's.
How many younger bird are there?


FYI.....semantics, maybe, but can be important communication terms when discussing chicken behavior.
Female chickens are called pullets until one year of age, then they are called hens.
Male chickens are called cockerels until one year of age, then they are called cocks(or cockbirds or roosters).
Age in weeks or months is always a good thing to note.


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/

 

[ANiceKaren]

Do the youngers have a coop there too, so 24/7 living next to the olders?
Are the olders already ranging?
Might let the olders out to range and let the youngers explore the main coop and run without harassment.
5 weeks is pretty young to range, easy pickin's.
How many younger bird are there?


FYI.....semantics, maybe, but can be important communication terms when discussing chicken behavior.
Female chickens are called pullets until one year of age, then they are called hens.
Male chickens are called cockerels until one year of age, then they are called cocks(or cockbirds or roosters).
Age in weeks or months is always a good thing to note.


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/

This is so helpful!!! Thank you! I’ll work on my chicken vocabulary as well! I’ve been doing exactly what you mentioned about letting bigger ones free range and letting the little pullets enjoy the bigger area. I think I’ll keep it the way it is for now for a few more weeks till they are closer in size. They do have their own coop but it is in the big run. My thought was to let them in their own coop when the big girls went to bed. Thanks for your help!

 

[Mrs. K]

It is up to you, but I have had more success with introducing them sooner than later. As neither birds are laying yet, they have been side by side, I think that there will be very little problem.

But a lot depends on your space, and how you are using that space. And the number of birds in each group. How many 5 week olds? If one or two, a little harder, if more than the older bird, much easier.

Mrs K

 

[ANiceKaren]

It is up to you, but I have had more success with introducing them sooner than later. As neither birds are laying yet, they have been side by side, I think that there will be very little problem.

But a lot depends on your space, and how you are using that space. And the number of birds in each group. How many 5 week olds? If one or two, a little harder, if more than the older bird, much easier.

Mrs K

Thank you! I have 3 older birds and 2 of the 5 week olds. They have plenty of space and opportunity to free range throughout the day. Next week I plan on putting the 5 week old girls outside full time, nighttime too.. but they do have a separate coop. Right now they are full time outside in their run. I let them into the big run when big girls are out free ranging too. I supervise my little ones as well and let free range once or twice a day. Maybe at around 7-8 weeks I’ll give it a good shot. They will have been side by side for 3-4 weeks by then.

 

[aart]

It is up to you, but I have had more success with introducing them sooner than later.

Same here!
Little are less of a 'threat' and also are faster, can get way easier, and hide in smaller spaces.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/