Introducing my first flock

[FLchickenChic]

I am a first time chicken owner. What started as a cute little Easter gift for my kids and i has turned into much much more. lol And i am loving it. so....I have Two 2-month old Barred Rock sisters. They have never been apart ( and certainly dont like to be, i get cursed at if i carry one away from the other-lol). I also have a 6 week old Buff and 6 week old Red that have never been separated. and then i just got two 3 month old bantam mix somethings (they were given to us-i posted on another thread pics for help with ID) .

Ok, So this weekend their coop will be done. Each pair is currently separated, although my first two pairs have been in large cages (i use dog kennels) next to each other for two weeks. (i put them out there during the day and bring them in at night where i have the brooders still). until the coop is done this is the safest as we have a family of fox in the woods by our house.



Now, when they go into their coop, do i just put all four of them in together and see what happens? What is the best way to introduce into the coop together. Then, once the other 2 are ready (they are sort of quarantined til i get good feed in them and make sure they are healthy and able to be handled)....what is the best way to introduce them to these four? I have this horrible vision of coming out and one being dead and mutilated because the others beat her up. Any help and suggestions are greatly appreciated! Also, the coop we are building is big enough for about 8 chickens but we plan on keeping it at 6 (for now-lol) so they should have plenty of room.

 

[aart]

I took a dog crate (with food, water and a roost inside) and took the door off of it and covered the opening with 2x4 welded wire fencing with one corner bent up just enough for the smallers to get in and away from the biggers. Put this right in the coop, by the time the smallers wouldn't fit in there any more they were acclimated to the biggers and I just took the crate out of the coop.

 

[FLchickenChic]

I took a dog crate (with food, water and a roost inside) and took the door off of it and covered the opening with 2x4 welded wire fencing with one corner bent up just enough for the smallers to get in and away from the biggers. Put this right in the coop, by the time the smallers wouldn't fit in there any more they were acclimated to the biggers and I just took the crate out of the coop.

Maybe i can rig up something like that. What we are building right not is a tractor coop so we can move it around, but it is tall enough to set the smaller dog kennel into and do the same thing. Thanks so much!!! the 3rd pair are bantams so are quite a bit smaller so that would work great! Again thank you!

 

[troy4]

well,at night they will not fight cause they can't see.So they can't peck or anything.I would suggest if your putting them in at daytime i would wait until morning get the feed ready and then they will have something to do.For the first couple of minutes,fighting will occur.At first because of pecking order.Now,if this is neithers territory fighting will happen to be because they do not KNOW each other or because its for flock pecking order.(This will happen after everybody gets to know eachother).Once they get settled in,everybody should be okay.If your doing Night Time Thing be sure there's NO lighting.Good Luck!

 

[FLchickenChic]

well,at night they will not fight cause they can't see.So they can't peck or anything.I would suggest if your putting them in at daytime i would wait until morning get the feed ready and then they will have something to do.For the first couple of minutes,fighting will occur.At first because of pecking order.Now,if this is neithers territory fighting will happen to be because they do not KNOW each other or because its for flock pecking order.(This will happen after everybody gets to know eachother).Once they get settled in,everybody should be okay.If your doing Night Time Thing be sure there's NO lighting.Good Luck!

Thank you. I only put them inside at night right now because they are in the kennels and have no protection really from the fox or dogs. Their coop in almost done and they will be in it starting this weekend 24 hours. Im very attached to my Rocks particularly but they are also my biggest so they should be able to hold their own. I just didnt know how long they will "pick" on each other or how long it takes for them to establish a pecking order. i know there is probably no set time frame. Is there a certain point where you should separate them? will they kill newbies? I could just see the look on my toddlers face if its becomes an ugly fight! i guess ill find out....im sure i am worrying for nothing.

 

[troy4]

Thank you. I only put them inside at night right now because they are in the kennels and have no protection really from the fox or dogs. Their coop in almost done and they will be in it starting this weekend 24 hours. Im very attached to my Rocks particularly but they are also my biggest so they should be able to hold their own. I just didnt know how long they will "pick" on each other or how long it takes for them to establish a pecking order. i know there is probably no set time frame. Is there a certain point where you should separate them? will they kill newbies? I could just see the look on my toddlers face if its becomes an ugly fight! i guess ill find out....im sure i am worrying for nothing.

WelcomE!Well if they start making marks that YOU think are incredibly bad take them out.Small scratches.are okir on the legs its fine any where there's feathers its bad take them out(Only if its bleeding on the feathered parts same with tail or any bad scars on the face)Keep up with me!Let me know all the news!

 

[troy4]

Oh and put any treats in there to keep them super busy from fighting once everyone figures out order they will do fine!(Make sure there's enough space too!).

 

[FLchickenChic]

Oh and put any treats in there to keep them super busy from fighting once everyone figures out order they will do fine!(Make sure there's enough space too!).

Thank you!!! I will keep you updated. My Buff chic is named after Ronda Rousey, the UFC fighter (see what i did there)...hope that wasnt a bad move. lol watch her be my wimpy one. Wish me luck.

 

[troy4]

Np i do this help ALL THE TIME1