New Hampshire Reds

[tralfaz]

I'm looking to add to my flock of 5 RI red hybrids and considering adopting 2 one year old New Hampshire Reds from a local. Mine are about 8-10 months old but I've read the New Hampshire Reds are considered an aggressive breed. Will they work will in a community with the other five?

 

[DanEP]

While I've only had a few NHR's over the years the ones I've had were not very aggressive, In my experience the RI were the more aggressive of the two. But like all breeds you the range of aggression will vary.

 

[Mrs. K]

I would expect them to work out well, as the production reds, tend to hold their own.

A LOT depends on your space, measure it, and if you have clutter in your run.

Mrs K

 

[50-45-1]

RI's are the aggresive ones.
NHR's are much calmer.
Good luck!

 

[aart]

A LOT depends on your space, measure it, and if you have clutter in your run.

Ditto Dat!!!

Will they work will in a community with the other five?

If you have the space(cannot be repeated too often) and integrate them well, yes.

Here's some 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/

 

[tralfaz]

Thanks all, what about barred rocks? The coop is sized for up to 20 birds. Would getting 3 new birds prevent the other 5 existing hens from attacking the new ones?

 

[aart]

Thanks all, what about barred rocks? The coop is sized for up to 20 birds. Would getting 3 new birds prevent the other 5 existing hens from attacking the new ones?

So now you're getting 5 new birds...all from the same place or 2 different sources?
Breed doesn't really matter....new is new and considered 'invaders' by the existing birds.

 

[tralfaz]

No, the two rescue hens to adopt, the owners didn't get back to me. But was just wondering if getting 3 as opposed to 2 would help to have them community together. I remember when I got the first group that one was pecked so badly that I needed to quarantine her from the others as the gash was so deep and bloody. Just want to avoid squabbles again

 

[aart]

No, the two rescue hens to adopt, the owners didn't get back to me. But was just wondering if getting 3 as opposed to 2 would help to have them community together. I remember when I got the first group that one was pecked so badly that I needed to quarantine her from the others as the gash was so deep and bloody. Just want to avoid squabbles again

Numbers don't really matter, except that with 3 if 1 dies you won't be left with a single, which is the hardest integration.

Post pics of your coop and run.
Can you split both with a wire wall for a few weeks for the first step of integration?

 

[tralfaz]

Separating is possible, but will require some reconfig. Will looking into this