Introducing new chickens to flock

[Tguilbeau]

I have some Orpingtons who are 8 weeks old at the moment and I got about 25 more that range 1 week-3 weeks old. Will I have any trouble when putting these other birds in the coop/run with my older birds. I never introduced younger birds into a flock yet

 

[SMorrison7k]

When are you planning on introducing? If you aren't already planning it, I would wait until at least fully feathered.
I typically move the new additions in the coop after dark so there isn't a bunch of chaos. It really helps the flock to not overwhelm the new additions and typically nobody will be attacked that way. Good luck!

 

[Tguilbeau]

When are you planning on introducing? If you aren't already planning it, I would wait until at least fully feathered.
I typically move the new additions in the coop after dark so there isn't a bunch of chaos. It really helps the flock to not overwhelm the new additions and typically nobody will be attacked that way. Good luck!

Thanks for the tip. I heard Orpingtons are pretty docile when it comes to pecking order and all that so I was hoping it wouldn’t be too difficult

 

[SMorrison7k]

Thanks for the tip. I heard Orpingtons are pretty docile when it comes to pecking order and all that so I was hoping it wouldn’t be too difficult

Out of my flock the orpingtons tend to be in the top of the pecking order, but I have also never had problems with them being overbearing or mean. Usually it's pretty smooth to transition! Your young ones may just be a little nervous and standoffish at first.

 

[aart]

I have some Orpingtons who are 8 weeks old at the moment and I got about 25 more that range 1 week-3 weeks old. Will I have any trouble when putting these other birds in the coop/run with my older birds. I never introduced younger birds into a flock yet

How many Orps?
How many older birds?
How big, in feet by feet, is your coop and run?

I have 3 age groups and just integrated the youngest, it's chaotic.
Crap rolls downhill...the adults beat on the 11wo's, and everyone beats on the 6wo's.
The 11wo's were broody raised and the 6wo's were brooded in coop.
You'll need lots of space, multiple feed/water stations, and 'hiding' places for the youngers....and a high tolerance for chicken 'meanness'.

Here's my.......
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.

 

[Tguilbeau]

How many Orps?
How many older birds?
How big, in feet by feet, is your coop and run?

I have 3 age groups and just integrated the youngest, it's chaotic.
Crap rolls downhill...the adults beat on the 11wo's, and everyone beats on the 6wo's.
The 11wo's were broody raised and the 6wo's were brooded in coop.
You'll need lots of space, multiple feed/water stations, and 'hiding' places for the youngers....and a high tolerance for chicken 'meanness'.

Here's my.......
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.

8 older birds and 25 younger ones. I will be culling the roosters so the # of birds is likely to go down. I only plan on keeping 20. The coop itself is 8x12 and the run is 20 x 15.

 

[Charly2018]

How many Orps?
How many older birds?
How big, in feet by feet, is your coop and run?

I have 3 age groups and just integrated the youngest, it's chaotic.
Crap rolls downhill...the adults beat on the 11wo's, and everyone beats on the 6wo's.
The 11wo's were broody raised and the 6wo's were brooded in coop.
You'll need lots of space, multiple feed/water stations, and 'hiding' places for the youngers....and a high tolerance for chicken 'meanness'.

Here's my.......
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.

This has really helped me actually...I'm new to chickens had two large fowl speckledy and just yesterday introduced 2 large fowl golden Brahma...it's not nice to watch them squabble and to my surprise the larger Brahma has clearly made herself top.
We have one feed station and one water station I let them out this morning and watched their behaviour for half an hour...it seems the Brahma will let her pairing (who she came with) eat and drink but not the other 2...they were allowed to eat the hanging greens and drink (although she did go over and have a flap at them) but she won't let them eat from the station.
Would you suggest I get another station for them or wait a few days until it calms down.
I've noticed my original girls have a new sound as well like a long loud call when I approach...pacing at the door (they are allowed to free range) I haven't let them out yet as keeping the other 2 inside until they get used to home...could i seperate my other girls whilst I continue this??

It's so hard when you get attached to them...it's pulling on my heart strings already lol
To note they are all only ranging from 12-15 weeks old breeder said they would be ok to put together straight away

 

[TheTwoRoos]

Twenty five versus eight,I think you will be fine.There is goign to be fighting.With that many birds,it will be obvious a new bird got introduced,their likely going to get attacked,and likely a few fights will break out.I would wait till fully feathered.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Would you suggest I get another station for them or wait a few days until it calms down.
I've noticed my original girls have a new sound as well like a long loud call when I approach...pacing at the door (they are allowed to free range) I haven't let them out yet as keeping the other 2 inside until they get used to home...could i seperate my other girls whilst I continue this??

Even with just 4 chickens I would have at least 2 feed stations. Even in established flocks the chickens on the bottom of the pecking order can get bullied and pecked around food stations, so to keep the peace if you place 2 feeders in separate spots, the top birds can't block all of it.

I have 7 chickens, 3 feed stations in the morning (1 dry, 2 fermented). After they get their fill interest in food dies down a lot so most of the day 1 feeder of dry crumble or pellets is fine. If I had a few more chickens I would probably have 2 feeders for dry all the time, but that depends on flock dynamics, and each flock is different.