Mixing Flocks...Acceptable Fighting

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Jmonroe

In the Brooder
Jul 17, 2020
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Question is how much fighting is acceptable between flocks? I have 5 Rhode Island Reds 13 weeks old and 5 Plymouth Rocks 9 weeks old. I have had the younger ones next to the run for two weeks now and they seemed to be not to interested in each other. Yesterday we just let two of the older ones out with 5 of the younger ones and the two older ones aggressively kept going after the younger ones trying to pin them down. So we just put the younger ones back in their tractor next to the older ones run. We have a 6x8 coop attached to a 8 x 12 run and then an additional 8x12 open space to start them to getting use to free ranging. Two sources of food and water. The physical introduction was done about two hours before roosting time. I’m just trying to prevent the younger ones from getting seriously hurt. Any advise would be great.
 
Hi and welcome to BYC :frow We're so happy you've decided to join us:ya

Your run is a bit tight for 10 birds. It's generally best of the littler ones have places to hide and access to multiple feed and water stations. At these ages, I'd probably wait until the littles are closer in size to the older ones.
 
rjohns39 said:
Hi and welcome to BYC :frow We're so happy you've decided to join us:ya

Your run is a bit tight for 10 birds. It's generally best of the littler ones have places to hide and access to multiple feed and water stations. At these ages, I'd probably wait until the littles are closer in size to the older ones.
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Makes sense. Thanks
 
Hello there and welcome to BYC! :frow

Total integration of birds can take months to achieve. There will be a lot of jostling and arguing for position in the flock at first, as long as it doesn't turn bloody it's best to let them work it out. And always intervene if it gets too violent. Make SURE you are offering them enough room, cramped quarters can lead to enough bullying, leading to death. Did you keep these two groups close enough to each other that they spent plenty of time face to face? This is very important that they interact behind wire a lot before mixing. A minimum of 10 square feet per bird in the run, 5 square feet per bird in the coop, more if you can afford it.

Oh and get some large wire dog crates. They make excellent jail cages! Don't be afraid to jail a very aggressive bird that refuses to accept the others or one. These cages make excellent hospital cages too.

Good luck and welcome to our community!
 

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