Introducing old chickens to new chickens and coop

[sabojo]

I have seen threads with introducing new chickens to an old flock, however, I haven't seen anything about taking older chickens and merging them with younger chickens that have had their own coop. All the chickens have been separated only by fencing for many weeks now, so they all kinda know each other, but have had no physical contact. I need to use the smaller coop that the older ones have been in for a group of smaller chickens (and rooster) that I am afraid will get injured if put in with the entire flock. There are 6 older chickens and 7 younger chickens.

 

[aart]

All the chickens have been separated only by fencing for many weeks now, so they all kinda know each other, but have had no physical contact.

Well, that's a good start.
How old, in weeks or months, are each of these age groups?
How big, in feet by feet, is the coop and run they all need to habitate?
Dimensions and pics always help here.


Here's some tips about......
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/

 

[sabojo]

Well, that's a good start.
How old, in weeks or months, are each of these age groups?
How big, in feet by feet, is the coop and run they all need to habitate?
Dimensions and pics always help here.


Here's some tips about......
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/

 

[sabojo]

There are six 1 1/2 year-old hens and seven 16 week-old chickens. The roosting coop they will be in is about 15 sq ft. The 16 week old ones are only using 1/2 of the roosting area (I have cleaned their 2 poop trays 3 times so far and no poop in one of them), that's why I figure there is room for the 6. There is a 9x12 covered walk-in run, a 12 foot run on the coop, attachable to the covered run but not yet. Also, they share a 50 sq ft fenced area, divided. They will also share a 50 ft tunnel with access to another 50 sq ft fenced run. They will have plenty of space to run around. I plan to keep their feed and water separate in the beginning of their merge.

 

[rosemarythyme]

There are six 1 1/2 year-old hens and seven 16 week-old chickens. The roosting coop they will be in is about 15 sq ft. The 16 week old ones are only using 1/2 of the roosting area (I have cleaned their 2 poop trays 3 times so far and no poop in one of them), that's why I figure there is room for the 6. There is a 9x12 covered walk-in run, a 12 foot run on the coop, attachable to the covered run but not yet. Also, they share a 50 sq ft fenced area, divided. They will also share a 50 ft tunnel with access to another 50 sq ft fenced run. They will have plenty of space to run around. I plan to keep their feed and water separate in the beginning of their merge.

You really don't have coop space for both groups especially during integration. 15 sq ft is enough for 4 adults, the younger group is currently eating up a lot less space due to the fact that they're younger and smaller.

For 13 birds you'd want something closer to 52 sq ft in coop floor space and 13 sq ft in open ventilation, depending on climate. In areas with prolonged cold temperatures you may need even more coop space.

Run seems ok by the numbers but I see a lot of narrow areas that could cause conflict and a lack of clutter (aart provided a link to a good thread of examples) to provide hiding places and enrichment.