Introducing new chickens to “older” chickens

[OuelletteFlock]

I currently have two different flocks. My first and oldest flock consists of SL Wyandotte’s and 1 Black Australorp, all 21 weeks old. My second group is a mix of (2 of each) Buff Orpington, Light Brahma, Cream Legbar and Olive Eggers just shy of 10 weeks old. The “babies” have been in a grow out pen that’s built into the coop for 3/4 weeks now. During the day I would move them to a CL dog crate inside the run with the older girls. This way everyone was with each other but safely separated. During this time, my Australorp has continued to spend a good amount of time each day pacing in front of tgem, yelling at them and pecking at them through the chicken wire and dog crate. Today, I had the older girls free ranging ( they have a fenced area outside of the run) and the babies had full freedom in the run. Although she was more distracted by her own new freedom, my Australorp would still peck at the hardware cloth and try to get the babies while they dust bathed. The Wyandotte’s don’t seem to care much at all. My question is, how long do I wait to merge flocks? The babies are out growing the grow out pen and the XL dog crate. They’re starting to drive each other nuts. I know it’s best to skip them into the coop at night, but I’m also concerned about the morning when they all wake up together and they’re alone before I let them out of the coop. I’ve never done this before, these are my first chickens. I know pecking order will take time, even weeks possibly, and there’s a solid chance my Australorp is going to find herself locked up in the grow out pen which will turn into a chicken jail for bullying. What is the right/safe age to introduce the younger girls ?

 

[aart]

My question is, how long do I wait to merge flocks?

Go for it, it's time!
If the Aussie doesn't leave the newbies alone,
put her in the crate for a time out maybe for a few hours or longer.
Hiding places and multiple feeders and waterers.

More info than you probably needs, but.....
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/

 

[OuelletteFlock]

Go for it, it's time!
If the Aussie doesn't leave the newbies alone,
put her in the crate for a time out maybe for a few hours or longer.
Hiding places and multiple feeders and waterers.

More info than you probably needs, but.....
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/

Thank you!!!!

 

[Alhickman]

Thank you for this thread! I integrated 2 younger Brahma to my older flock about 3 weeks ago. Anymore the babies are mostly left alone (they are 11 wks now), still some chasing around the pen, but overall more calm. My big concern is at night, the dominant SL Orpington guards the ramp back into the coop. So if the baby Brahma are outside, I have to catch them and put them into the coop. Anyone have any suggestions?

Good luck! it is very stressful watching them pick on the littles.

 

[Auntie Clucker]

I need help. I have 26 chickens. I had 22 together in a 40 foot enclosure and everyone seemed to get along okay and laying nicely.

Then it was time to integrate Sophia, she is just 6 months. Sophia at 4.5 weeks literally died in my arms and I resuscitated her. Since that time she has lived in my guest bathroom in a dog crate with daily human and dog interaction. Until she was perfectly healthy, she was not going outside. This was in October. Well, it was too cold in the wi ter and she was not going outside. From her illness she is blunt in one eye, otherwise a perfect little chicken.

I got from a friend of mine three hens to help acclimate her to the flock, (1) 2 year old, (1) 6 month old, and (1) 2.5 month old. I put the 2.5 month old with Sophia and all was good for a few days. Then I added te other two and all good again. Then while sitting in the chicken run, I introduced the 4 to the 22, all good, really good, but Sophia. Sophia would not move. Then a very sweet chciken ran to her and pecked at her BLIND eye making it bleed. Sophia was screaming. I picked her up and soothed her. Checked er eye, seemed okay. I out her down again and same thing happened.

I need help. Now Inhave 25 chickens and 1 that is terrified. I dont want to have a chicken in a cage forever, this would not be a good life for her.

Help me please.