Introducing different aged young chickens

[Cee]

I am new to raising chickens. I received some baby chicks back in April. It soon became apparent that I was missing my cockerel. A month later I received 4(!) (they told me they had a 3 chick minimum shipping requirement). I read somewhere never to place smaller chicks with bigger. So they are separated but in the same coop so they can see each-other. When can I safely put them all together? I tried once last week, the result being the boys getting beat up by the girls. What is the typical time it takes for the cockerels (New Hampshire Reds) to be the same size as the pullets (Plymouth Barred Rock, Plymouth White Rock, and Australorp)?

 

[Stipenvlerk]

I would try again and see if it goes any better..

not by dumping one group into the others pen, but maybe open a door in between and see if they go to each other. Supervised ofcourse!

 

[aart]

So they are separated but in the same coop so they can see each-other. When can I safely put them all together?

Give it a couple-few weeks.
Might depend on how you have things set up.
Pics would help here.... 'tiny doors' might work for you:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

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/

 

[Cee]

Hmm. Tomorrow, I will see about creating hiding spaces and adding more places for food and water. I will see about cutting open a small "door" and seeing if that helps too.
Thank you!

 

[Mrs. K]

I am afraid of that many roosters because you are new to chickens. If I had 4 roosters I would be having space for 80 hens.

roosters take some experience. A lot of roosters do not work out. They are often darling as chicks but later can be dangerous for children.

So I know you didn’t ask, but that many roosters can very well be a lot of trouble, just trying to give you a heads up.

 

[Cee]

Yes, thank you, I knew that. When I originally ordered the chicks, I ordered one rooster. And 17 hens. The supplier messed up and didn't include the rooster. When the mistake was found, they told me they could not ship just one bird.

They said they had to ship 3. I ended up with FOUR! They are all a month younger.
My plan is to keep the nicest one and cull the others. If they are all mean and aggressive, they will all go.

I have cared for other flocks for friends who went on vacations. I have had some VERY bad experiences with mean roosters. Once, I had to whack one upside the head with a stick in order to get away safely. So I have zero illusions and will have no problem removing a bad rooster.

I have had a flock of Bantams in the past with a really nice Cochin rooster. I must say that so far, the Bantams over all were much sweeter.

My Plymouth Barred Rocks and Australorps are very nice with easygoing temperaments. With the exception of one, my White Plymouth Rocks are little mean (peck me, then I have to "peck" them back on the shoulder or head, so they know I am at the top of the pecking order), struggle and freak out when picked up. I don't know why. They were all lovingly hand raised with lots of snuggles and petting.

If none of these roosters work out, I'm not sure what I'll do.

 

[Mrs. K]

Well I hope one of them does, but to be honest, finding a rooster is easy. People hate to cull them and will be thrilled to let theirs go to you. Ask at the feed store or local poultry club.

 

[Cee]

Just reporting back in.
I followed some advice from here and created 4 places for the boys to duck into and hide behind. Used an upside-down old chair, concrete pavers, and some old plywood leaning against the inside of the run.
Made a huge difference!
I got rid of of the little roo's cage and they are out in the general population cruising around in their squad of 4. They get chased and occasionally pecked but everybody seems to be getting along fine.
Including the two Indian Runner ducks that a coworker couldn't keep anymore because a drake was just being terrible to them. They had no feathers on their necks, infected eyes from drake drool, and just a mess.
They are very amiable girls and so happy not to be mounted 24/7.

 

[aart]

Made a huge difference!

Pretty amazing, eh?

 

[Lydia Huizenga]

I have 6 adult chickens. 4 hens and 2 roos. I have 11 pullets that I want intergrate soon. The pullets are 7 weeks old and I was wondering when I should intergrate them into the big leagues?