Introduction

[RRox]

I started five years ago with (10) day-old ISA Brown chickens from Hoover Hatchery. I LOVE THESE CHICKENS. Today I have two left due to MAREK’S DISEASE and predators.

So I ordered (15) day-old Golden Buffs from Meyer Hatchery (their name for ISA Browns) who are now eight weeks old. They are out in the barn with the two older hens separated for now.

I need to figure out how to let them join the two older ones seamlessly. They certainly outnumber the original flock, but I am afraid they will be picked on. How long should I wait to introduce them and how should I do it?

I have two small Tractor Supply coops in two horse stalls in my barn which I generally use to lock the chickens up at night. Each coop supposedly is good for 5 to 6 chickens but they only sleep there. During the day, they have another horse stall,the barnyard, and a really nice wooded fenced area where they roam freely.

If the new chickens get chased, they can run into one of the coops, but so can the older chickens.

How do I go about a successful introduction to my flock?

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Introductions should be done gradually. Initially have them in a, look don't touch, set up where they can get used to each other over the period of about 2 weeks. Then you can let them intermingle after making sure you have multiple feed stations, lots of things to do in their area, and plenty of places for the youngsters to hide if they need to.
Were these new chicks vaccinated against Marek's? Even if they were, they're likely still going to get it, they just won't show the symptoms.

 

[Chicken_Obsesser]

Welcome to BYC! Good luck with your flock!

 

[CCsGarden]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[muddy75]

 

[N F C]

Hi, good advice on integration from @DobieLover. Thanks for joining us!

 

[Debbie292d]

Hiya, and welcome to BYC!

We integrate sometimes weekly around here and @DobieLover's ideas work well. Sometimes the "look but don't touch" gets reduced to 10 minutes, but we ensure everyone gets along before just leaving the littles alone with adults. Dual feed stations is a must though. Some hens won't hurt them, but that evil eye they do scares the little ones away from the food. Roosters never hurt them, and sometimes even protect them.

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC. Good luck with your integration!

 

[Bsmac]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Introductions should be done gradually. Initially have them in a, look don't touch, set up where they can get used to each other over the period of about 2 weeks. Then you can let them intermingle after making sure you have multiple feed stations, lots of things to do in their area, and plenty of places for the youngsters to hide if they need to.
Were these new chicks vaccinated against Marek's? Even if they were, they're likely still going to get it, they just won't show the symptoms.

Great introduction advice!

 

[Bsmac]

Hiya, and welcome to BYC!

We integrate sometimes weekly around here and @DobieLover's ideas work well. Sometimes the "look but don't touch" gets reduced to 10 minutes, but we ensure everyone gets along before just leaving the littles alone with adults. Dual feed stations is a must though. Some hens won't hurt them, but that evil eye they do scares the little ones away from the food. Roosters never hurt them, and sometimes even protect them.

More great introduction advice!