Looking to add to my flock.

[countrylife15]

Looking to add a new flock to my current flock. I currently have 2 Silkies and 1 Splash Dutch all bantams. Adding Old English bantams 3 hens and 1 rooster. Both flocks are about a year old. Would they be a good mix? How long would it take for them to get use to each other? I'm a new mom and any information would be great.
Is it better to start with baby chicks and introduce?

 

[langley hatching business]

put them to gather at night.

 

[CluckerFamily]

How long it takes depends on the chickens. I'm always on the safe side, at least that's what family tells me. I have them together but with a divider I created in the coop, they stay separate by the divider for 3 weeks and then the divider is removed under supervision. If everything goes well, the divider isn't needed anymore, if there are issues and ganging up, I put the divider back up and wait another week. It isn't a hassle if you have an easy setup. I do know some people keep them separated for a shorter time frame.

 

[aart]

I'm a new mom and any information would be great.

A new chicken keeper...or you just had your first child?
First question is, how long have you had the birds you do have?
Might want to hold off adding more birds until you have some experience keeping the ones you do have. Adding new birds is whole new learning curve.

How big is your coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help immensely here.
Adding birds work best with extra space....crowded housing can be a heart breaker.

Another thing to think about is bringing older birds runs the risk of bringing in pests and disease. So, yes, newly hatched chicks from a hatchery would be safer...and an easier integration if you set it up ahead of time.
Consider biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article

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/

 

[aart]

Oh, and... Welcome to BYC! @countrylife15
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, and then it's always there!

 

[rosemarythyme]

IMO better to start with chicks from a reputable source. Easier to integrate chicks (the adults don't see them as much of a threat vs adults) and it minimizes your biosecurity risk.

 

[Oncoming Storm]

Are they free ranged or in a run?