Is this a terrible idea?

[TinyRaptorMomma]

We are starting our flock after tons of reading, getting our coop predator proofed, etc. We want a couple different types of chickens, all similar sized, since this is for a little backyard flock.

We found pullets about 4 months old from 2 different breeders. We wanted to get 3 from one, 2 from the other. We would get them right around the same time, so would throwing them all together right off the bat so neither group has a chance to be the "core group" be a terrible idea? I have a local vet so if something went wrong, I could get medical care for them (thinking diseases - although I have confirmation in vaccinations from both sets).

Eta: everything I was finding via Google was about adding chickens to an already established flock, which we don't yet have

 

[dearmeghann]

We got pullets last year from the same breeder, but they were clearly raised in separate flocks. They had some growing pains (pecking order tiffs), but it wasn't terrible. I suggest getting some No Peck in case there is feather picking. Have a space where you can put the problem children in case they get too aggressive. Also, put some "clutter" in the run. That way, they can jump up or behind obstacles in case they're being bullied. I'm hoping others will chime in with their experiences!

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I threw two old hens and about a half dozen pullets together like this recently. From a biosecurity standpoint it’s ill-advised but practically speaking it should work fine because neither group will have an established territory in the new coop.

 

[TinyRaptorMomma]

I threw two old hens and about a half dozen pullets together like this recently. From a biosecurity standpoint it’s ill-advised but practically speaking it should work fine because neither group will have an established territory in the new coop.

This was kind of my thought. The biosecurity wouldn't be great, but I do have a local vet I can partner with if necessary. But nome should be territorial yet so they might be more accepting in the chaos

 

[TinyRaptorMomma]

We got pullets last year from the same breeder, but they were clearly raised in separate flocks. They had some growing pains (pecking order tiffs), but it wasn't terrible. I suggest getting some No Peck in case there is feather picking. Have a space where you can put the problem children in case they get too aggressive. Also, put some "clutter" in the run. That way, they can jump up or behind obstacles in case they're being bullied. I'm hoping others will chime in with their experiences!

I love the idea of the clutter so they can hop on or behind obstacles for protection. Thank you so much!!

 

[SamLockwood]

We are starting our flock after tons of reading, getting our coop predator proofed, etc. We want a couple different types of chickens, all similar sized, since this is for a little backyard flock.

We found pullets about 4 months old from 2 different breeders. We wanted to get 3 from one, 2 from the other. We would get them right around the same time, so would throwing them all together right off the bat so neither group has a chance to be the "core group" be a terrible idea? I have a local vet so if something went wrong, I could get medical care for them (thinking diseases - although I have confirmation in vaccinations from both sets).

Eta: everything I was finding via Google was about adding chickens to an already established flock, which we don't yet have

If they were raised togther for 4 months they'll have likely bonded and consider themselves a flock and you'll have the usual problems integrating strangers with them. In general chickens don't like strangers or strangeness of any kind, and often respond aggressively to newcomers.

The only time I've noticed them to be "open minded" about strangers is when you have chicks one to two weeks old. I've combined young chicks with no problems.

If you're getting grown birds, you may also want to keep them separated for at least a couple of weeks to a month to make sure they don't have any diseases (or if they do, you don't spread them to the others).

 

[Ridgerunner]

Five pullets from 2 sources about 4 months old. To me it boils down to how much room you have and what your facilities look like. If you have sufficient room and you don't force them to be real close to each other I think you have a decent chance of success. If space is tight then your risks rise.

In your situation I'd try it but have a way to separate them for a while if you need to. Instead of expecting them to eat and drink from the same dishes and sleep on the same roosts, consider them not hurting each other as a success, even if they stay apart. All that cozy one-flock stuff can come later.

 

[TinyRaptorMomma]

Five pullets from 2 sources about 4 months old. To me it boils down to how much room you have and what your facilities look like. If you have sufficient room and you don't force them to be real close to each other I think you have a decent chance of success. If space is tight then your risks rise.

In your situation I'd try it but have a way to separate them for a while if you need to. Instead of expecting them to eat and drink from the same dishes and sleep on the same roosts, consider them not hurting each other as a success, even if they stay apart. All that cozy one-flock stuff can come later.

I have enough space for them all in the standard coop and run, but especially in the run which I can expand with a dog pen, which can also double as a way to separate them if necessary. I also have a kennel that I can use if I really need to separate someone, and would bring them inside since the kennel is not predator proof.

I appreciate the practical advice. I agree that as long as they can tolerate and not harm each other, it would be a win.

As far as not having them eat from the same dishes/etc, I've got big food grade buckets with 4 different feeding locations on them. Should i set up a 2nd bucket so they can go to different buckets, or is having 4 different feeding spouts enough? It's the same for water - food grade bucket with nipples.

Thank you so much

 

[TinyRaptorMomma]

If they were raised togther for 4 months they'll have likely bonded and consider themselves a flock and you'll have the usual problems integrating strangers with them. In general chickens don't like strangers or strangeness of any kind, and often respond aggressively to newcomers.

The only time I've noticed them to be "open minded" about strangers is when you have chicks one to two weeks old. I've combined young chicks with no problems.

If you're getting grown birds, you may also want to keep them separated for at least a couple of weeks to a month to make sure they don't have any diseases (or if they do, you don't spread them to the others).

This was my concern and why I want to get opinions on this. So even if they aren't territorial over the coop and run, they could still be viewing themselves as separate flocks. Is that right?

Thank you so much. I do have the ability to separate them, but it would mean one group being cooped indoors overnight then let into a dog pen/run that I have, which would let everyone see but not touch.

 

[C Siena]

I have enough space for them all in the standard coop and run, but especially in the run which I can expand with a dog pen, which can also double as a way to separate them if necessary. I also have a kennel that I can use if I really need to separate someone, and would bring them inside since the kennel is not predator proof.

I appreciate the practical advice. I agree that as long as they can tolerate and not harm each other, it would be a win.

As far as not having them eat from the same dishes/etc, I've got big food grade buckets with 4 different feeding locations on them. Should i set up a 2nd bucket so they can go to different buckets, or is having 4 different feeding spouts enough? It's the same for water - food grade bucket with nipples.

Thank you so much

I would still set up a separate feeding station. It doesn't have to be large but separate not close together.