Introducing my Polish chickens to my flock

[sophielucidojohnson]

Hi everyone! Longtime reader first time poster here in Chicago.

In April, we adopted two Polish chicks — one is a cockrel and the other a pullet. They are four months old now, and I think they'll get a *little* bigger, but they're significantly smaller than the rest of my flock (which includes a Plymouth Rock, a Rhode Island Red, and an Orpington). Our coop set-up has a fairly large indoor portion and then a similarly sized enclosed run. We've separated the flock from the Polish chickens and they sleep separately — the OG flock in the enclosed coop and the Polish chickens on a roost in the outdoor run. This has been working fine. They all range in our yard all day together, but the bigger chickens definitely bully the littler ones.

I am wondering about eventually getting the littler chickens to sleep inside with the big ones. Is this feasible? I'm worried about winter. Right now, they are able to get into both sides of the coop on their own, but they self-separate at night.

Is there an appropriate way to integrate them while they sleep? Has anyone had luck integrating littler chickens into a bigger flock?

 

[TwoChicksChix]

They should be okay to introduce to the flock. Polish naturally aren’t as hefty as most other chicken breeds. I know mine are pretty small always. However, your best bet is to place them on the roost inside at night to lessen the squabbles.

Fighting is normal for a few days while the pecking order gets figured out. If you’re worried about them bullying them out of the way you can always place a second feeder and waterer in the pen for the polish to drink from.

Eventually they should all generally get along. Though I have heard of RIR bullying other birds as top dog, so just be watchful of that.

 

[aart]

How many existing birds...just the 3 mentioned?
How big is your coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics(inside and out) would be most helpful.
Plus it sounds like neat setup and I want to see it.

I am wondering about eventually getting the littler chickens to sleep inside with the big ones. Is this feasible? I'm worried about winter. Right now, they are able to get into both sides of the coop on their own, but they self-separate at night

So there is no barrier within the coop?
Once the younger female starts laying she may join the others,
not unusual for the 2 groups to stay separate.
How is the polish cockerel acting?
He should be starting to try to dominate and mate about now.
Tho polish can have a hard time with those mop tops,
both attracting attention for being different as well as not being able to see real well.

Here 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.



Oh, and....Welcome to BYC! @sophielucidojohnson
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