Introducing birds with each other

[Duckwrestler404]

I have 2 different stages of birds, 3 full grown chickens with rooster, and 6 mid size chickens and 2 ducks, and was gonna introduce them at night by putting them in the same coop, with lots of space... good idea?

 

[zhutson789]

Could be. The next morning they will probably get pecked a little bit depending on the big ones. If you have another pen that you could put beside the big ones, that would be good for a few days.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Try it and see. If things go badly, come back and do a search on integrating birds using the "see-no-touch" method.

 

[aart]

good idea?

Not really.....IMO.
It fails more often than it succeeds, or maybe we only hear about the failures here.

How old, in weeks, are the "mid size" birds?

Here's a slower but safer method.
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/

 

[Zan]

I would do it, as long as 2 requirements were met. Lots and lots of space, and everyone is big enough to run away. You will see pecking and fighting, but in my experience, it's not to bad.