Mixing chickens

[Auntsally]

Hi I have 6 chickens mixed breed that I got in spring the house is big enough for them only I’ve ordered another house that’s much bigger comes in 4 weeks it holds 15 to 20 snd I’ve had my run extended out side it’s now quiet big ,
so I decided to get more chickens to add to my flock I bought 4 Cochins that I have separated in my side garden to quarantine for a few weeks so by time that’s over my new house would offf arrived I’ve now had them a week then yesterday my friend is moveing asked me to take her two Opingtons now I have them separated and there next to the Cochins they can see each other but can’t get to each other,
So , I’m now not sure how I’m going to introduce the 3 lots together that my 6 then my 4 Cochins snd then my two Opingtons , sorry if this is getting confuseing ,
shall I first introduce the Cochins and Opingtons? After the quarantine ?
so they can get used to each other and then my 6 originals when my new house comes these 6 can’t see the others from were they are as they are in another part off garden , or do i introduce them together at the same time? I’m so confused on how to do this as I now have 3 lots off flocks it’s now giveing me anxiety on the big meet and greet and scared it’s going to be a massive blood bath , I’m hopeing the house will be the thing that will help at the moment, as it’s not had a flock that had been in it and claimed it as there own, so , was thinking ! or not ! (please advice) if I’m wrong !
if they all go into together on the day my new house arrives as it goes dark and me placeing my new girls in with the old !
and then , being there in the morning before they wake and monitor them for the next few days would that help I’m so worried about each and every one off them getting hurt thanks in advance for any help on this

 

[Auntsally]

Hi I have 6 chickens mixed breed that I got in spring the house is big enough for them only I’ve ordered another house that’s much bigger comes in 4 weeks it holds 15 to 20 snd I’ve had my run extended out side it’s now quiet big ,
so I decided to get more chickens to add to my flock I bought 4 Cochins that I have separated in my side garden to quarantine for a few weeks so by time that’s over my new house would offf arrived I’ve now had them a week then yesterday my friend is moveing asked me to take her two Opingtons now I have them separated and there next to the Cochins they can see each other but can’t get to each other,
So , I’m now not sure how I’m going to introduce the 3 lots together that my 6 then my 4 Cochins snd then my two Opingtons , sorry if this is getting confuseing ,
shall I first introduce the Cochins and Opingtons? After the quarantine ?
so they can get used to each other and then my 6 originals when my new house comes these 6 can’t see the others from were they are as they are in another part off garden , or do i introduce them together at the same time? I’m so confused on how to do this as I now have 3 lots off flocks it’s now giveing me anxiety on the big meet and greet and scared it’s going to be a massive blood bath , I’m hopeing the house will be the thing that will help at the moment, as it’s not had a flock that had been in it and claimed it as there own, so , was thinking ! or not ! (please advice) if I’m wrong !
if they all go into together on the day my new house arrives as it goes dark and me placeing my new girls in with the old !
and then , being there in the morning before they wake and monitor them for the next few days would that help I’m so worried about each and every one off them getting hurt thanks in advance for any help on this

Also sorry if I’ve posted in the wrong thread just new in here snd not sure yet if I’m posting in the right place

 

[bobbi-j]

I would just put them all together and get it over with. How are you doing your quarantine? Is there 300’ between each group of birds? Changing clothes (or at the very least your shoes) between pens? Using different equipment for each pen?

What are the dimensions of your new coop? Is it a prefab? Was it advertised to hold 15-20 chickens, or are you going by x number of feet per bird? Just asking because prefabs are notorious for claiming to hold more chickens than they comfortably can.

 

[Auntsally]

I would just put them all together and get it over with. How are you doing your quarantine? Is there 300’ between each group of birds? Changing clothes (or at the very least your shoes) between pens? Using different equipment for each pen?

What are the dimensions of your new coop? Is it a prefab? Was it advertised to hold 15-20 chickens, or are you going by x number of feet per bird? Just asking because prefabs are notorious for claiming to hold more chickens than they comfortably can.

Hi yes the two pens with the new chickens are near each other they can see each other prob 2 meters apart I’ve not been changing clothes but I have been washing my hands and been useing different wellies I’m not very good with measurements but the house is aprox 5 foot width at the frount 10 feet wide at the side and 5 foot height and had 6 nesting boxes and 4 perches they will be 5 foot as it’s 5 foot wide I assume , and out side run is really big square 10 metre by 10 aprox all the way round is this big enough? Do you think the house is too small you think ? I should keep them all separate and then put them in all together instead off introducing the new set then the old thanks for your reply

 

[aart]

Do you have a tape measure?
Post some pics?

Pic posting guide in here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/announcements-feedback-issues-guides.3/?prefix_id=3

or ask here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/announcements-feedback-issues-guides.3/

 

[Auntsally]

This is my house it’s 5 foot at the frount 8 foot length and 5 foot height
My pen measurements are 70 feet wide and 50 feet length

 

[aart]

That is a very cool mobile coop!
The new one will be bigger?

 

[Mrs. K]

In the new run, do not leave it one big open rectangle where birds can see all of the other birds. Do add platforms, roosts, hideouts, mini walls, hidden food bowls placed so that while eating at one food bowl, they cannot see birds at another food bowl. Add ladders, saw horses, small pieces of plywood.

Then turn them all in at the same time, late afternoon. Adding more to more is the best, and the while there will be dust ups, all together, in new digs, all strangers... I think it will settle very quickly. Do have a crate in case there is one very wicked bird, sometimes there is. If so pull her, but for most of it, let them work it out. The less you interfere the quicker it is settled. Every time you break it up, they start over.

Mrs K

 

[Auntsally]

That is a very cool mobile coop!
The new one will be bigger?

Thanks no this is the new one that’s on it’s way my old one only hold 6 chickens

 

[aart]

Thanks no this is the new one that’s on it’s way my old one only hold 6 chickens

Oh.
That coop might hold 15.
I hope there's some ventilation other than the one window.

Maybe you can set up your other coops around the run to help with integration.

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