Mixing new with old chickens

[jennahd]

I have 4 existing chickens that I hatched (3 roosters and a hen) in one larger coop and I have 4 new hens in a smaller coop. I have kept the new ones quarantined for 4-5 weeks in the small coop but just let them all free range this weekend. They were ok except the small roosters are getting fiesty and pecking at the new hens until I would yell at them. The one hen that I hatched was also chasing one of the new hens and it had to retreat to the coop/run.
I will likely be getting rid of two of the smaller roosters bc they seem meaner and more territorial than my big one.
The question...I was considering switching the new hens into the larger coop and putting my first chickens into the smaller coop. I thought this may allow the new hens a few days to get used to the bigger coop alone.

Then I was thinking of putting the other chickens back in the big coop at night. What do you think of this plan?
also, Should I wait until I get rid of the two roosters to mix them?
Hope you could follow it!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Welcome to the forum, glad you joined.

How old is each group? It sounds like both groups may still be immature but also that there is an age/maturity difference in them. That sounds more like pullet/cockerel behavior than hen/rooster behavior. How I suggest you go about it will depend some on their age and age difference.

Also how big are the coops, in feet or meters and how are they situated relative to each other? Can you describe the roost space in the one you want them all in? Often when people have small numbers of chickens the coops can be pretty small and that makes integration harder.

If you are going to get rid of two males I'd do it sooner rather than later. They are just going to complicate the process if they are still around.

 

[feathermaid]

Are all of your birds less than a year old? If so, age in months will make a big difference in how they integrate. 5 girls to 3 boys is a terrible ratio... 10 to 1 would be better. I would separate all the cockerels out of sight until you can truly choose the best one to keep, their behavior changes immensely without females around. It sounds like your biggest one is still immature otherwise he would be keeping the younger ones in line, and with hormones racing and no older hens (over a year) to teach the boys mating manners, you could have a real mess. You might be fine if you just removed the 2 younger cockerels and let the remaining flock establish their pecking order.

A little chasing and pecking is expected, blood and injuries is not. Integration takes a lot of space so free range time is great! Also offer multiple food and water stations, and lots of perches in the run, obstacles and activities. This could include a ladder, chair, plywood leaning on a wall, different level platforms (logs), anything to break line of sight and hinder chasing. Also a bale of hay or straw for them to scratch through and hanging treats will keep them occupied. Confinement in an empty space can lead to boredom and aggression, so start adding some clutter!

 

[jennahd]

Welcome to the forum, glad you joined.

How old is each group? It sounds like both groups may still be immature but also that there is an age/maturity difference in them. That sounds more like pullet/cockerel behavior than hen/rooster behavior. How I suggest you go about it will depend some on their age and age difference.

Also how big are the coops, in feet or meters and how are they situated relative to each other? Can you describe the roost space in the one you want them all in? Often when people have small numbers of chickens the coops can be pretty small and that makes integration harder.

If you are going to get rid of two males I'd do it sooner rather than later. They are just going to complicate the process if they are still around.

My original 4 are 2 weeks younger than 2 of the new hens...about 20 and 22 weeks old. Then I have one year old hens new to the flock. The bigger coop and smaller coop are next to each other so they can see each other in their runs but cannot touch. The bigger coop is 6ftx6ftx5ft high... plenty big...with one roosting bar 12 inch off ground. The small coop that new hens are in, is only big enough for 4 birds with an attached 4 ft run...it’s a standard coop like the biggest one you could get from Tractor supply.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I think I got that. You have 3 cockerels and one pullet 20-weeks-old, living in the big coop. You have two 22-weeks-old-pullets and two 1-year-old hens in the smaller coop. They have free ranged together with some conflict but no one has been injured.

With the cockerels you have a few different options. You can remove two from the mix. You can re-home them, eat them, or lock them up forever where they cannot interact with the others. At least try it that way. Lots of things could happen when that cockerel merges with all those hens and pullets.

I'd let the rest free range together for a few weeks as long as no one gets hurt. Let them decide where they want to sleep as long as it is predator safe, don't force it. That's a bit strange mix of ages and sexes but it should work out. After they have free ranged together for three or four weeks, lock them all in that larger coop at night. I'd wait until it is dark so they are easier to catch. Be down there first thing the the mornings to open the pop door until you are comfortable they are doing OK together.

Good luck!

 

[jennahd]

Are all of your birds less than a year old? If so, age in months will make a big difference in how they integrate. 5 girls to 3 boys is a terrible ratio... 10 to 1 would be better. I would separate all the cockerels out of sight until you can truly choose the best one to keep, their behavior changes immensely without females around. It sounds like your biggest one is still immature otherwise he would be keeping the younger ones in line, and with hormones racing and no older hens (over a year) to teach the boys mating manners, you could have a real mess. You might be fine if you just removed the 2 younger cockerels and let the remaining flock establish their pecking order.

A little chasing and pecking is expected, blood and injuries is not. Integration takes a lot of space so free range time is great! Also offer multiple food and water stations, and lots of perches in the run, obstacles and activities. This could include a ladder, chair, plywood leaning on a wall, different level platforms (logs), anything to break line of sight and hinder chasing. Also a bale of hay or straw for them to scratch through and hanging treats will keep them occupied. Confinement in an empty space can lead to boredom and aggression, so start adding some clutter!

Thanks! This helps!

 

[jennahd]

I think I got that. You have 3 cockerels and one pullet 20-weeks-old, living in the big coop. You have two 22-weeks-old-pullets and two 1-year-old hens in the smaller coop. They have free ranged together with some conflict but no one has been injured.

With the cockerels you have a few different options. You can remove two from the mix. You can re-home them, eat them, or lock them up forever where they cannot interact with the others. At least try it that way. Lots of things could happen when that cockerel merges with all those hens and pullets.

I'd let the rest free range together for a few weeks as long as no one gets hurt. Let them decide where they want to sleep as long as it is predator safe, don't force it. That's a bit strange mix of ages and sexes but it should work out. After they have free ranged together for three or four weeks, lock them all in that larger coop at night. I'd wait until it is dark so they are easier to catch. Be down there first thing the the mornings to open the pop door until you are comfortable they are doing OK together.

Good luck!

Thanks this helps a lot!!

 

[jennahd]

I locked up the two small roosters today bc they were terrorizing my sweet only egg laying hen. It retreated to a tree and I put them in the small coop. Because I did that, I had to put the rest in the big coop with the bigger rooster. I watched them closely in the run together and had to reprimand the roo multiple times. He was the first to go to sleep and sit on the roost. Then I stayed inside their coop to get them to sleep and all get in safely. Funny thing... the new hens had never been on a roosting bar and didn’t know what to do! A couple wouldn’t even go on...Hopefully their little feet are still trainable! Praying for peace upon wake up tomorrow!