Merging two flocks - not being successful

[dczeropski]

I have 4 chickens and 2 roosters I have had since 3 weeks. Now They are several months old and I wanted to put another hen in with the flock but the roosters won't leave her alone. She is 4 times bigger than all the hens and roosters. I took the roosters out and put them in a tractor coop I have cause the new hen won't fit in there. Is there hope for integrating them.

 

[centrarchid]

Place hen in tractor by herself for a day. Then add dominant rooster. Next day add other rooster. Following day add balance.

This will allow "hen" to integrate with one bird in a location that should be neutral (no body ones). Once that is established the first rooster will help deal with other aggressive birds as their aggression can be a threat to his authority.

 

[dczeropski]

Really? But what if the rooster hurts her by pecking her? The hens don't bother her and as of now she won't even come out of the coop unless I take her out. So, put her in the tractor with one of the roosters? Or put all the birds in the tractor and the rooster and new hen in the pen? I added a pic the situation can be understood better. Right now the new hen is in the pen house with all the hens and the two roosters are in the tractor.

[/IMG]

 

[centrarchid]

Show a picture of hen and rooster involved.

 

[subhanalah]

Really? But what if the rooster hurts her by pecking her? The hens don't bother her and as of now she won't even come out of the coop unless I take her out. So, put her in the tractor with one of the roosters? Or put all the birds in the tractor and the rooster and new hen in the pen? I added a pic the situation can be understood better. Right now the new hen is in the pen house with all the hens and the two roosters are in the tractor.

[/IMG]

they mean to allow the picked on hen to be in a territory she can claim/own. THEN you add the dominant rooster and he won't be so fresh anymore because it's her territory and not his.

The way you did it beclfore, she was intruding in his land so he was showing her that it's his land and if she wants to b on it, she's gotta be his hen.

 

[lilyrose]

I have a twenty by thirty indoor pen that is split in two. The two groups can see each other. On one side it accesses the coop and outdoor pen (20x5). I have had the younger ones on the other side of the indoor pen. The problem is that they will have to go through the other side. I have solved it I think and ordered another coop to put on their end. I only free range through the fall and winter months and maybe the two flocks would meet, but for now I think the best thing is to keep them separate.

 

[centrarchid]

You may be over managing a bit.

 

[lilyrose]

Are you saying I should just let them go at each other. I have five on each side.

 

[centrarchid]

Keep hens including new one in the current pen for a few days. I would even make so roosters can not see the flock of hens. Then introduce one male.


If you are going to keep two flocks and free-range keep both, then spread them out or alternate days when they are out.

Also show a picture of birds themselves up close to give a better handle on what you are dealing with. The use of terms hen and rooster are vague and can be misleading.

 

[lilyrose]

Don't have a rooster. These 10 birds have been living in full sight of each since April 10, but not able to physically interact. Feed separately, etc.