Introducing New Chickens Advice Please

[wrcogan76]

We have 10 in our flock and they are 7 weeks old. One Roo and his nine ladies. The Roo is an Americana and the girls are ISA Browns, French Copper Marans, Starlight Green, Easter Egger and Midnight Majesty Marans.

TODAY, we received 3 sweet Mottled Cochin Bantams who are 6-10 weeks old. I’ve already moved the others to their outside coop. I’m going to brooder the new ones inside for a couple of weeks while I get to know them.

My plan is to place them in run area of my coop inside a dog crate once I do move them out.

How long should it take for me to be able to let them all be together?

 

[Mrs. K]

You, know, I think I might think very strongly on getting the bantams into the flock ASAP. Is there much of a size difference at this age? Some people have reported mixing full size birds with bantams can be problematic. To my way of thinking, if they get to know each other before a huge size difference, it might help.

But I am guessing, I have never done the bantam and full size chickens.

 

[wrcogan76]

Yes, the full size chickens are double (at least) the size of the Bantams.

 

[Mrs. K]

Then ignore my advice- I don’t have experience with a mixed flock.

 

[Mtnboomer]

I do not introduce my young birds to the main free range flock until they are 2/3 the size of the adults (around 4 mos). But they have spent the previous 2 months in a run where the adults can see them, hear them, and interact with them safely through the fence.

When its meet and greet time, there is still some squabbling to maintain the pecking order, but its usually very short (a day max but usually only a few hours).

I raise Brahmas which are a large but docile breed. This may also play a roll.

I would leave them protected in the dog crate for several weeks inside the run if practical. If not, its feet to the fire! Give them as much time as possible before they out grow the kennel unless the size difference between them and the standard size breeds becomes too great too fast.

 

[aart]

Consider biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article


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/

 

[Ridgerunner]

How long should it take for me to be able to let them all be together?

There is no set answer to your question. Their size isn't the only factor. How big is the run, how big is the coop, how are roosting areas laid out in the coop, will you have a roost in that crate, are you sure all three bantams are pullets, and just luck on individual personalities. Even if I knew all that there is no set time. Each flock has its own dynamics. They don't all react the same.

The Ten will be 9 to 10 weeks old when you are ready to put the Three in that crate. The Three may be the same age or maybe a bit older. They (either group) may or may not be sleeping on the roosts at night. The way I'd approach it would be to house the Three in that crate at least a week. Then let them out. You can try setting that crate up as a safe haven, have an opening small enough the big chickens cannot follow the bantams in if violence breaks out and the violence is the Ten after the Three. Especially if the Three are a bit older they may be the aggressors. You never know for sure who will be dominant. Size is not eveything.

See what happens when you let them out. Base your future actions on what you see. As long as it's not too violent I'd leave them alone. Let hem sleep wherever they want to sleep, which means leave that crate in there in case the Three are more comfortable there. One week may not be enough, you may need to leave them lock them back in there in there for another week or even more. Remember you are basing your actions on what you see. After they have peacefully shared that run for a couple of weeks you can try to move them into your main coop at night. Just be down there at daybreak to open the pop door and let them out until you are comfortable they are getting along. My situation is different from yours in many aspects but I can usually tell the first or second morning whether I need to be there that early or not.