We have 7 chicks who are about 4 months old and we have 7 chicks who are about 2 months old. I want to put them together as I feel the younger ones are big enough....however I would like some input on how to do it. I have family and friends who have introduced new chickens at night by just putting them in the coop...and have done so very successfully, but only a couple at a time. So should I put them in together a couple at a time? Or all at once? And if I do it a few at a time, should I put the older ones in with the younger ones. Any advice, suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!! Thanks!!!
i had the same thing happen when i introduce 2 new, younger chickens into a flock of 6, older ones and it took some time, but eventually they got along and are best friends ever since. the way i did it was first introduce them in an area and if any pecking occurs separate them. then put one group on the floor of the coop in a sectioned off area of the floor. now they can interact through the wire and establish who is boss without any physical confrontations. then i slowly introduced them little by little and then eventually when i was comfortable with their relationships i allowed them to live together in the coop. they fight quite a bit with each other until the pecking order was established and the little ones were picked on a lot, but that is the way of life in the chicken world. I'll tell you it is devastating to watch the little ones get picked on, but you need to let it go and deal with it. Now they love each other and get along great.
I'm no expert, but I would think it would make it easier since they are even in numbers. I think I've read that it is bad to introduce just one new chicken to a flock, since that one will be the outsider, but if you're putting 7 in with 7, they would be even and just need to learn the new combined pecking order. Hopefully some more experienced integration experts will chime in soon and let us know.
