Introducing new chickes to the older ones

[Medic328]

Hello, my first forum post here, I did a search for this info but it was very vague.
I have 4 orpingtons at 20 weeks old, and my Easter eggers are about 6 weeks old. I'm in the process of building them a much bigger house so they can all live together.
Right now they have little commercial built homes and the pens are right next to each other so they can see each other and kind of get used to being together. Question is, once my new house for them is built can I put them together in the same run/pen together?

 

[Gray Farms]

Sounds like to large of an age gap to me. You want to put chicks together that are similar in size.

 

[Evelyn Walker]

Do they free range? It's best to introduce them in a large space, so that they can get away from each other if needed. Just be sure to have ample feeders/waters, space and distractions available, it should go fine.

 

[Tooleman]

We do ours at night, I don't know why that matters but have always had good luck doing it that way.

 

[Medic328]

Do they free range? It's best to introduce them in a large space, so that they can get away from each other if needed. Just be sure to have ample feeders/waters, space and distractions available, it should go fine.

Free range, not really. They both have a 12x15 pen that they run in so I guess that not exactly free range. I have neighbors that would most likely complain if they actually did free range. As far as water and feeders go, yes, I have 2, 3 gallon waterers and 2 large feeders. 1 set for each group of hens.

 

[Medic328]

Thank you for the replies

 

[aart]

Question is, once my new house for them is built can I put them together in the same run/pen together?

How many 6wo's?
How big is coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help here.

If you put them all into the new coop and run the same time,
it may reduce territoriality issues.
But still, have a Plan B ready and pay attention to the other aspects of...
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.

 

[Medic328]

Their pens are small right now 9x12 each. One has 4 Orpingtons at 20 weeks and the other 5 Easter Eggers at about 6 to 7 weeks. I am in the process of building a new pen for then which will be increased in size 14x 12-18 feet. The new house will be 4'x8' by 4 in the front sloping to 3 feet in the back for water run off. The back of the pen will be exposed with wire around the bottom for protection. The house has 2 swing out doors in the back for easy egg collection, cleaning, and maintenance. the birds right now are in pens right next to each other. View attachment 1901845

 

[Medic328]

 

[aart]

Run size sounds good....coop might be tight for 9 birds.

Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!