Introducing new birds..to an older flock?

[RmB]

Hi folks Just wondering about the best way to introduce some younger birds to my little older flock? I got 6 hens and a rooster going on 4 1/2 months old. ( those are my oldest)I have a section of my outside enclosure for those birds sectioned off so the 5 younger ones are able to have their own space too ( for now). These are about 10 weeks old. It is sectioned of with reg wire so they can all see and hear each other but can't harm one another. They no longer bother with each other as in the big girls don't spend all day looking at the younger ones like they wanna eat them. When should I introduce them without the barrier? And how should I go about it? I do have 'red' lights to hook up ( folks tell me they can't distinguish color and pattern with the red lights). They been like this for about a month. I would like for them all to be together before the snow comes. Any and all suggestions are most welcome! and Thanks!

 

[Lamaremybabies]

Sounds like you've done it right. Now all that's needed is an opening where both groups can go in and out of the others' area. I would supervise for a little just to make sure nobody is getting injured from another, but once the pecking order is figured out they'll be grand.

 

[RmB]

Sounds like you've done it right. Now all that's needed is an opening where both groups can go in and out of the others' area. I would supervise for a little just to make sure nobody is getting injured from another, but once the pecking order is figured out they'll be grand.

Whew! That reply makes me feel better. Thanks! I'm still learning. haha. I also have three Silkies that are quite a bit younger than all of them. Which will be going out there in the fall. ( they will always be kept separate but will be able to see and hear the others) I am planning on putting my Silkies in the current yard that I have for the 5 'teenagers' that I have, once they are with the 41/2 months olds. This will be done once my hen house that is inside my shed is complete to accomadate the oldest ones and teenagers combined. Not that it isn't big enough already..Ijust like to make sure they have LOTS of room...

 

[RmB]

I know it's a little confusing..and I will make sure that when I intergrate them ( not the Silkies) that there will be plenty of treats to keep everyone busy and we are always out there anyways. Call me crazy lol but I have a bucket out there that I sit on and the hens are all over me..

 

[Lamaremybabies]

Whew! That reply makes me feel better. Thanks! I'm still learning. haha. I also have three Silkies that are quite a bit younger than all of them. Which will be going out there in the fall. ( they will always be kept separate but will be able to see and hear the others) I am planning on putting my Silkies in the current yard that I have for the 5 'teenagers' that I have, once they are with the 41/2 months olds. This will be done once my hen house that is inside my shed is complete to accomadate the oldest ones and teenagers combined. Not that it isn't big enough already..Ijust like to make sure they have LOTS of room...

That's good! I know integrating new birds into the flock can be nerve wracking at times, but doing it slowly and correctly (as you are) makes it 100 times easier for everyone!

 

[aart]

I don't think the red lights will do much.
Hopefully you have lots of space for your 11 birds in both coop and run,
that will make things much easier.

Also:
Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the 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 coop and run.

Best of cLuck!

 

[RmB]

I don't think the red lights will do much.
Hopefully you have lots of space for your 11 birds in both coop and run,
that will make things much easier.

Also:
Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the 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 coop and run.

Best of cLuck!

Awesome, working on another feeder and watering area. They have lots of space. They have branches and things to roost on. Working on expanding the hen house inside our shed to make sure they do have enough room. And of course I'll be out there whenever we start to try and intergrate them. I'll be doing that for several weeks. I'll be watching the older ones with the youngun's for awhile before I am comfortable..(Y) Many thanks for all the help!

 

[Mrs. K]

"Places for the 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 coop and run."

This is so important. A pallet on bricks, where smaller birds can get under. The bigger birds will be able to get under it, but it is miserable there for them, and it really slows them down.

MrsK

 

[RmB]

"Places for the 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 coop and run."

This is so important. A pallet on bricks, where smaller birds can get under. The bigger birds will be able to get under it, but it is miserable there for them, and it really slows them down.

MrsK

HI! and thanks! I spend all day yesterday out there getting the larger pen ready for when the time comes to introduce the young birds to the older ones. When I do I'll be there and it will only be for a little bit. Then I will do that again several times until they are comfortable with each other. Got some time yet before the winter sets in. I barred in the older birds yesterday for a while (they had access to my shed inside) and let the little ones run around in the big girls pen. Boy did they have fun!

 

[RmB]

"Places for the 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 coop and run."

This is so important. A pallet on bricks, where smaller birds can get under. The bigger birds will be able to get under it, but it is miserable there for them, and it really slows them down.

MrsK

I like the pallet idea!