Introducing new chickens into coop

[Cynthia Malo]

I have two coops, that can be joined..one has two full grown chickens in it the other has 16 young chickens (almost full grown), I wan't to open up the coop to join them. What is the best way to prevent a full out war between the chickens?

 

[Mrs. K]

With a one way opening. Something the smaller birds can escape through easily, but the big girls cannot follow.

But truthfully 2 old to 16 young, I would doubt you have much problems. Chasing and pecking take a lot of energy, and you can only peck so many. I think there might be a bit of bluster right at first, and after that I would expect it to settle quickly.

Adding 16 young to two old is very much different than adding 2 young to 16 old.

Mrs K

 

[3KillerBs]

Here are some useful articles on integration:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-coop-brooder-and-integration.74591/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-“see-but-don’t-touch”-method.67839/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/adding-to-your-flock.47756/