New flock integration

[ered2019]

Hi there! I am starting my backyard flock with a chicken tractor. I am due to pick up three 7month old hens and two 4month old hens on the same day. I am wondering everyone’s thoughts on best way to integrate these girls? It’s no one’s “turf” because they’re all new (literally at the same time). They’ll be next to each other in different cages in the car but what are your thoughts on what to do when we get home? Thank you!!

 

[heatherbell2]

What breeds are they? Some breeds are more dominant than others.. plus can have individual personalities besides

 

[ered2019]

What breeds are they? Some breeds are more dominant than others.. plus can have individual personalities besides

3 ameraucana opal legbar crosses, 1 isa brown, 1 Plymouth blue

 

[aart]

Putting them all in the same space might work best...especially if that space is good sized.
Not sure a tractor fits that bill.
Aggression and dominance might follow breed 'norms' but most likely not.


Anyway these might help, tips about....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Not sure how easy or hard it is for you to keep them separate for a day or 2 ? Just so that you can establish that they're all healthy, no respiratory issues.... Then I'd integrate them same as any age, as slow or fast as they dictate. Some integrations only take me a matter of days, others weeks.... If you're free-ranging them, that's a great way for everyone to be together. If not, split the run in half with some wire. Let them be together but then if war starts, split them up; repeat; repeat. I predict all will go realatively well.

 

[aart]

Not sure how easy or hard it is for you to keep them separate for a day or 2 ?
Just so that you can establish that they're all healthy, no respiratory issues

Really takes more than a day or two, and being in the car together pretty much negates a true separation.
BYC Medical Quarantine Article

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Really takes more than a day or two, and being in the car together pretty much negates a true separation.
BYC Medical Quarantine Article

Right. A real Quarantine would be longer. I just saw your advice to put them all together and thought well maybe hold up for just a day to make sure no one is coughing, check them all out.... Not exactly the best quarantine scenario but if I discovered someone is sick, I'd at least know I need to one or all depending on what I discover......