New flock larger than existing?

[Bri416]

Anyone ever introduce a new flock that's bigger than your existing flock? Good idea? Bad idea?
We have 3 original hens (2 yr olds), just got 3 new ones (1 yr old), mostly doing ok, just watching the 2 older ones for behavior that we know are top in the pecking order. We have an offer to take 4 more of the same new flock we just got. That would make 3 old to 7 new. Thanks!

 

[BirdGirl2004]

First and foremost...! I hope that you enjoy this site as much as the rest of us do! I have learned SOOO much from this site, and hope that you do too! As for your chickens, I believe this is just fine, and also is almost better than introducing a smaller flock. Usually the new chickens get picked on, but if there is more of them then maybe they won't get pecked so much...
Hope this helps!

 

[MROO]

Anyone ever introduce a new flock that's bigger than your existing flock? Good idea? Bad idea?
We have 3 original hens (2 yr olds), just got 3 new ones (1 yr old), mostly doing ok, just watching the 2 older ones for behavior that we know are top in the pecking order. We have an offer to take 4 more of the same new flock we just got. That would make 3 old to 7 new. Thanks!

Welcome Aboard! I've had to do the same thing over the past few months. As long as the original two groups are getting along okay, the next group didn't need nearly as much time in the "see-but-don't-touch" pen. They blended in fairly readily. I can only suppose that it was because they already had some semblance of a pecking order from before. Whatever the reason, it sure made the transition easier!

 

[Mrs. K]

Space might be a problem, as you are more than doubling your flock.

Howeve, while it won’t help if you are over crowded, adding more is easier than adding just a couple.

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC!

Space might be a problem, as you are more than doubling your flock.

Yes, space is key.
And integration works best with extra space.

Here's some tips on....
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.

This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

 

[Ridgerunner]

Yes space is the key. Not just for when they eventually become one flock and learnt o live together but even more room is needed for integration. That' room in the coop, room in the run, when that room is available, and how your roosts are set up. Mine are most vicious to each other on the roosts as they are settling in at night.

Yours are all adults, that is easier than trying to integrate immature chicks with mature chickens.

As to your basic question, there is absolutely nothing wrong with adding more rather than fewer. As long as you are adding more than one or two I don't know that it's better. From what I've seen that depends more on the personality of individuals, not a group mentality. Whether it is better, best, or makes no difference, it is no worse as long as you have room. If your three new ones are already living with the adults, you are not adding 7 you are adding 4 more.

 

[Bri416]

Thank you so much everyone for the advice. Just thought I'd share what we did and were successful - so we had the original 3, and in essence 7 new (3 new the first week, 4 more the next week). To make best use of space we let the newer 7 have the coop and run, and for the older 3 made a makeshift pen where they could all see each other through the fence. Only a few days in the older hens found a way out to the rest and we noticed 1 was just fine, our 2 large barred rocks were pecking and pulling the others' feathers more than I thought was healthy for establishing pecking order. So essentially for another week or so we kept just the 2 aggressors penned separately and everyone else ran together. One day we then let 1 out for a few hours, and finally the other, and they did well. So now a few months later they all get along great!

 

[aart]

Good Job with your Chicken Juggling!