Newbie asking for advice on how to merge flocks together peacefully

[booksandcranies]

So I have three hens (all my chickens are bantams) from my original flock of 6 (I rehomed a standard rooster that was mistakenly given to me, and then we had two unpreventable deaths)



And I have my baby chicks that are now getting up there in size. They no longer need their heater at all, and all the chickens from both flocks intermingle peacefully in my yard with no squabbles. Of course there is pecking here and there but that’s normal I assume. I’m waiting for the last few chicks to get just a tad bit bigger but then they should all be on par in size.


I guess I’m asking what the next steps are? Do I just put them to roost in the coop and observe them over the next few days to make sure they aren’t fighting too bad? How much inter-fighting should I expect while the new peck order gets established? Is there a safe way to do this or is it more of a hope for the best situation?


No one will be put together until after our vacation at the end of September but I’m really wanting to plan this out so it goes smoothly. And I am prepared if this fails- I’m ok with having two different coops and runs that’s no big deal.


I guess I’m just asking for your best advice for someone who is doing this for the first time. Also here’s a picture of our bantam rooster atom. He’s the smallest of the bunch but does a very good job

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Here's how I do it, with pictures:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-a-pictorial-guide.79343/

 

[BigBlueHen53]

What a cutie, and I love his name!

 

[aart]

It would help more to show pics of your coop and run.

Actually, in my(and others) experience, works best to integrate when they are young.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/


But 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/

 

[ChicNmom]

I have a two sided coop with a connecting chicken door. After mine get along in the yard I leave the connecting door open. I may put one or two in the big coop after dark to encourage it without them getting picked on too bad

Once a couple of them felt comfortable the rest figured it out.

We were away for a few days and when we got home yesterday I noticed all the new birds were going in on their own. So they sorted it out while we were away.

I don't rush the process.

 

[booksandcranies]

I have a two sided coop with a connecting chicken door. After mine get along in the yard I leave the connecting door open. I may put one or two in the big coop after dark to encourage it without them getting picked on too bad

Once a couple of them felt comfortable the rest figured it out.

We were away for a few days and when we got home yesterday I noticed all the new birds were going in on their own. So they sorted it out while we were away.

I don't rush the process.

Thank you so much!!! Yes I’m trying to make this a slow and steady kind of situation. Some of the smaller hens have made their way into the big girls run and there was no drama just curiosity

 

[booksandcranies]

It would help more to show pics of your coop and run.

Actually, in my(and others) experience, works best to integrate when they are young.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/


But 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/

Thank you so so much for the resources! I am unfortunately about to travel home from work and I don’t have a picture on my phone but I will be adding to their roosts and doing a few other things (adding extra water and food sources for them) thank you!!

 

[booksandcranies]

Here's how I do it, with pictures:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-a-pictorial-guide.79343/

Oh thank you so so much!!!