Introducing chickens

[ascott11]

Hi everyone!

I currently have 3 7 week old chicks (2 cockerels, 1 pullet) Today I purchased new pullets that are also 7 weeks but a bit smaller than the 3 to equal out the rooster and hen ratio.

I need help with integrating the two groups. The pullet with the two roosters has been fine with them new pullets, but the cockerels, one in particular has been being rough so I separated them by doing the method of keeping the new ones in the coop and letting the other ones hang out in their brooder which is a large clear container so they can see the new pullets.

The new pullets have been just sitting in a corner and not walking around much. I’m sure they’re just adjusting because they did have to be in the car for a hour today.

In the case that I will need to take out one cockerel, I have another chicken coop full of hens, about 12 of them. They’re older and I was wondering if I could somehow put him in there. How would I introduce him? And when would I start that process?

I’m so sorry for all the questions, I’m just very anxious about all of this. I hatched the three from eggs with my class this year and we’re all very attached, I don’t think I could get rid of one!

 

[sourland]

I'd put both cockerels in with the older hens and let them teach the cockerels some manners.

 

[Cellomama2]

When adding new chickens I'd wait as long as I could after they feathered out and then out them in a large wire cage in the run of the older hens. My husband made them a little coop to sleep in while they are in there as well so I basically have a tiny coop and run in the main run. I put the new chickens in the tiny coop/run for about a week usually so everyone can see each other but not hurt the new ones. Once they seem to all not care about each other any more I wait until night time and put the new ones in the coop with the other girls. When they wake up in the morning there seems to be very little fuss other then the usual pecking order pecks. I also make sure to prop up the side of the tiny run so only the new chickens can get in but the bigger ones can't so they have a space to run away from the older birds just in case. Since I started doing it this way I haven't had any major issues but I didn't always do it this way.

This is a little gem from before I started doing the night time intros. I still had the tiny coop/run in the main run but we would go out one day and lift the side of the tiny run so the new ones could leave to mingle as they wanted while we stayed in and observed so there were no major squabbles. This seemed to work for the first couple years without issues except for a Lavender Orpington roo that I had from a straight run group. He was bigger than everyone else at only a few months and some of the standard size hens kept fighting with him when I would let him out of the tiny coop/run even though he was introduced to the flock with the hens he grew up with. Time outs weren't working with him and I just couldn't find a home for him fast enough. This went on for a least a week until one day a little bantam blue Wyndotte I had must have gotten sick of the bickering between him and the others and she attacked him! He jumped back and hid for a while because I think he was just a surprised as the rest of the flock and I were but he didn't have any other issues with the flock after that. It was great and she strutted around for a while that day with no one else bothering her.

 

[ascott11]

When adding new chickens I'd wait as long as I could after they feathered out and then out them in a large wire cage in the run of the older hens. My husband made them a little coop to sleep in while they are in there as well so I basically have a tiny coop and run in the main run. I put the new chickens in the tiny coop/run for about a week usually so everyone can see each other but not hurt the new ones. Once they seem to all not care about each other any more I wait until night time and put the new ones in the coop with the other girls. When they wake up in the morning there seems to be very little fuss other then the usual pecking order pecks. I also make sure to prop up the side of the tiny run so only the new chickens can get in but the bigger ones can't so they have a space to run away from the older birds just in case. Since I started doing it this way I haven't had any major issues but I didn't always do it this way.

This is a little gem from before I started doing the night time intros. I still had the tiny coop/run in the main run but we would go out one day and lift the side of the tiny run so the new ones could leave to mingle as they wanted while we stayed in and observed so there were no major squabbles. This seemed to work for the first couple years without issues except for a Lavender Orpington roo that I had from a straight run group. He was bigger than everyone else at only a few months and some of the standard size hens kept fighting with him when I would let him out of the tiny coop/run even though he was introduced to the flock with the hens he grew up with. Time outs weren't working with him and I just couldn't find a home for him fast enough. This went on for a least a week until one day a little bantam blue Wyndotte I had must have gotten sick of the bickering between him and the others and she attacked him! He jumped back and hid for a while because I think he was just a surprised as the rest of the flock and I were but he didn't have any other issues with the flock after that. It was great and she strutted around for a while that day with no one else bothering her.

So I should have said the two groups will be in completely separate coops. I have the 2 cockerels and pullet plus the new pullets in one coop and then in the other coop I have the 12 adult hens. (The hens are my dads and the little ones are mine)

Would it still be ok to introduce at least the cockerels to the older hens so they can get some manners as stated above or is that not ok? I’m just concerned about how rough they were with the new pullets! They have never really acted like that with the one they’ve been with. I know a new pecking order will need to be established, but I don’t want any hurt chickens! Do you have any suggestions on what to do if they get too rough? As far as breaking it up and training them that it’s not ok?

Your coop and run sound amazing! I gave plenty of space for what I have but a huge run would be amazing!

 

[ascott11]

I'd put both cockerels in with the older hens and let them teach the cockerels some manners.

Is this ok to do? The hens won’t hurt them? I’ve read so many different things that I don’t really know where to start! I actually carried the stinker cockerel in the coop with the adult hens to show him how big the hens will be getting...I keep thinking I can make him behave like I can get a kid to behave but it just doesn’t work!

 

[aart]

I keep thinking I can make him behave like I can get a kid to behave but it just doesn’t work!

Nope, it sure doesn't, they are not humans, nor 'children'.
You have to learn about how chicken society works in order to manipulate it.

The hens won’t hurt them?

They may will most likely kick the young boys butts.
What are your plans long term for these cockerels?
I'd get rid of all the cockerels...tho at 7 weeks they really shouldn't be causing trouble yet. You may just have a crowding problem.

I currently have 3 7 week old chicks (2 cockerels, 1 pullet) Today I purchased new pullets that are also 7 weeks but a bit smaller than the 3 to equal out the rooster and hen ratio.

This is not really how it works. Multiple males will almost always create an environment of competition, bringing out all the worst behaviors or all the males.

The 'rooster' to hen ratio of 1:10 that is often cited is primarily for fertility efficiency in commercial breeding facilities.
It doesn't mean that if a cockbird has 10 hens that he won't abuse or over mate them.
Many breeders keep pairs, trios, quads, etc
It all depends on the temperaments of the cock and hens and sometimes housing provided.
Backyard flocks can achieve good fertility with a larger ratio.

 

[Cellomama2]

I haven't kept any roos. I've tried but the nicest one we've had was the giant lavender orpington and for some reason he had a thing for my bantams so he ended up having to go too. It's not fair but I've had mine attack my kids and myself and if I have an animal that is being vicious, especially to my kids, it can't stay and yes I have tried to work with them. I also have had no luck rehoming them so unfortunately for ours they've ended up in a Crock-Pot. Not ours because I just haven't been able to do that personally but I make sure they at least don't go to waste.