Mixing 3 different ages of hens together

[DurbanGirl]

I've been reading up on how to introduce new hens to your flock - and my situation is as follows....

I have my hen house and run divided in half with one batty old hen on one side (10 year old buff orpington) and 3 13 week old hens on the other side. I also have 2 8 week olds to add in the mix at some point - they have been kept completely separate.

What is the minimum age the youngest ones have to be before I can try to put everybody together? I should mention - 1 of the youngsters is a Polish - and she will be one of the smallest of the flock - with some tempting head feathers to peck.

It seems most articles suggest waiting as long as possible - but I would love to do it sooner rather than later - only because the little ones stay in an outdoor pen during the day - but are in our basement at night.

If there's anyone who's had a similar situation who could give me some pointers - I would really appreciate it!


Deirdre

 

[donrae]

I would put all the younger ones together now. They're all young and close enough in age they shouldn't have much problems. Personally I would have raised birds that close in age together, but that's done now. So, put the babies together for a week or so. If everything's going okay, at night remove the divider or put the older girl in with the youngers. There will be squabbling and some drama, but no blood no foul.

 

[DTRM30]

With only one older hen and the rest fairly close in age, you shouldn't have too much for problems. The older hen won't have just one younger one to pick on - and will be spreading her authroity over the whole bunch. You could always clip the feathers on the polish if it's an initial problem. As they grow back in, it will be a slow process that will be more unnoticed and hopefully accetped easier.

 

[DurbanGirl]

I would put all the younger ones together now. They're all young and close enough in age they shouldn't have much problems. Personally I would have raised birds that close in age together, but that's done now. So, put the babies together for a week or so. If everything's going okay, at night remove the divider or put the older girl in with the youngers. There will be squabbling and some drama, but no blood no foul.

I was hoping to put them together at first - but when the newest ones came home at a day old- they were just so teeny tiny compared to the (then) 5 week olds. Wish I had at least tried it!

 

[bobbi-j]

I was hoping to put them together at first - but when the newest ones came home at a day old- they were just so teeny tiny compared to the (then) 5 week olds. Wish I had at least tried it!

You did the right thing not putting day-olds with 5 week olds. It probably would have worked after a month or so. Oh well, chalk it up to "live & learn"

 

[DurbanGirl]

Well - after locking the 2 younger ones in the hen house all morning - I let them out in the run with the 3 older ones - and it did not go as well as I had hoped. I threw a bunch of compost in there to keep everybody busy - but they kept going after the smaller of the 2 (a polish) and jumping on her. I had some pieces pf plywood set up for her to hide under - but the older 3 managed to pin her in the corner of the coop - over and over again. I finally gave up and have the young ones in a wire dog cage inside the run - and I think I'll put them in the hen house tonight - inside a separate cage. The size difference is so scarey - should I just keep trying putting them together for a little while every day?

 

[TXchickmum]

I have a similar thing going on at present. -purchased two three week old chicks, and one day old chick. -tried, briefly, to place them in the same brooder. The older ones trampled and picked at the younger. I purchased another day old to accompany the first and placed them in their own brooder. Everyone was fine! I have taken all four out together, daily, to scratch outdoors. A few weeks have elapsed, and all seem to be fine when together (with plenty of space). -have 4 bantams that are 20 weeks and 3 standards around 21 weeks old. I stay right with the little ones while they're outside with my original flock. The older birds were initially very curious, but now leave them be - save 2 bantam pullets that attempt to sneak up and peck them. -eventually I want to integrate all 11 into one large coop.

It sounds like you have a good idea keeping them together, yet protected by a cage. -would let them be (out) in close proximity to each other with you very near several times a day. This will allow you to observe and permit necessary intervention. -sounds wise to keep them separated while you're not with them. I think they will eventually work out their 'order' and coexist just fine. -may just take a bit more time.