Introducing 2 chickens to the coop

[nancy1zak]

As some of you may know from my earlier posts...we had to take out our EE and put her by herself in her own coop next to the big coop bec she was getting her feathers plucked. She has been in her own coop since about May. Her feathers are grown back, and 3 weeks ago we gave her a friend. Another EE...she is 4 months old. Our older EE took nicely to the new little one. They both are doing great together...no problems. My hope is to introduce both of them into the big coop soon...before it gets too cold. Any idea what a good time frame would be...? The two EE's have been together 3 weeks.

 

[CMV]

Great write up on integration. Check this out.

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

Good luck.

 

[nkacerek]

Hey, I'm from Morris County too in Long Valley! I would try putting the two EE's in a dog crate inside the coop for a few days or 1 week and see what happens. After that, you could supervise everyone out in the run and maybe just put the EE's back in the dog crate at night. Hope this helps!

 

[Cavendish Chickens]

To introduce our two hens to our rooster, we had to use a dog cage. The girls started out in there, and every so often we'd switch and put the roo in there. By the end of the night we had them all in the run together. Still didn't like each other much... more the roo didn't like the girls invading his space, but they're getting better together every day. He still chases them off throughout the day, but not every single time he sees them now. Hopefully when they go into "season" he'll settle down about them being in there.

 

[J.Pryce]

I just added 8 barred rocks to my flock of Leghorns & Isa Browns. I placed them on the roost at night, I checked on them the next am & had no big issues at all. They have integrated very well & one of the new gals actually laid today in the nest box. I have a habit of sitting for long periods of time & watching the girls. It's better than any of the crap on TV

 

[nancy1zak]

Just wanted to update...after entering my two EE's into the big coop...all is great! Now the rabbit hutch turned chicken condo can disappear.