Introducing new chickens

[JaredandLauren]

So I have a flock of 7 chickens. They are all 6 months old and half of them are laying and the other half are not yet. We want to add three new chickens that are about 12 weeks old. How old should the new chickens be before I introduce them to the old flock ?

 

[Eva2020]

I like to spray all the chickens with water mixed with a little vinegar, they wont be able to smell the difference in the new ones. The smaller ones will probably get picked on, and i can't guarantee they will get along. if you introduce them at night by just sticking them in the coop sprayed with vinegar. make sure there is an extra feeder and waterer for the new ones so they won't get bullied out of food. Best of luck! and there are tons of forums on this so they would be helpful.

 

[aart]

We want to add three new chickens that are about 12 weeks old. How old should the new chickens be before I introduce them to the old flock ?

Have you raised these 3 from chicks....near the older birds?
How big is your coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help here.

I like to spray all the chickens with water mixed with a little vinegar, they wont be able to smell the difference in the new ones

Tho 'smell' might be a factor, it certainly isn't a big one....space and feed are the biggies.


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/

 

[CA2PTChickenChick]

Chickens have an excellent ability to know flock members from sight. The vinegar to cover their smell is nothing I’ve heard of in vet school but if it works for you no harm. Just be sure not to get it in their eyes.
Best way I’ve found to integrate has been setting up a cordoned off area in my run with the new hens and a small coop so they can be near my existing flock but not in it. After about a week I will put them in the main coop at night and in the morning things have gone swimmingly with very little squabbling or tussles.