Put them in the same coop?

[Kerjack]

Ok so as of right now I have 8 Isa Brown hens, they are about 21-22 weeks old. I'm looking to pick up some 10 week old chick(ens) from a farm just outside of my town. Not sure of the breed though just yet. But my question is can I put them in the same coop as my other chickens or would I have to put them in something else for the time being? I'm only looking to pick up about 2-5 more.

 

[KMHunter]

I am assuming you know about quarantining them for at least 30 days. If you don't please do a search. Try this link for info on integration. https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-adding-to-your-flock. I have done this once, and the only thing I know for sure is that it is stressful. I do know that is a VERY good idea to integrate when they are about the same size. Putting little ones in with full grown ones is asking for trouble for the little ones. There is a lot of info on this forum and can give you all of the tips you need. People have had a lot of success in a lot of different ways.

 

[Kerjack]

Oh I was completely unaware of having to have them in isolation. Thank you so much for the link. I will defiantly be doing that. I'm still quite new to this.

 

[Mrs. K]

When you get done with that, if you can put them in the pen, but in a cage for a day or two, just to kind of acquaint them, and then add them to the house at night when the next day you will be home to keep an eye on them. mk

 

[Ridgerunner]

This is the best resource I've found for what you want to do, covering both quarantine and integration.

Buff Hooligan’s Adding to your flock
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-adding-to-your-flock

One thing I'd suggest you consider, if your set-up will allow it. After quarantine and you have housed them side by side for a while, if the integration does not go well, try adding the more submissive of your existing flock to the newcomers, one at a a time. Then, when you have maybe four of your existing flock peacefully coexisting with you newcomers, merge them all. Hopefully this will confuse things so much that establishing the new pecking order will go a little easier.

Chickens are social animals and like a herd of cattle or a pack of wolves, they have to establish a pecking order to know who eats first, who gets the best roosting spots, or whatever the dominant ones get. You can expect some pecking and quite possibly fighting while this pecking order is established. Your goal is to have this happen without bloodshed. Buff's advice can really improve your odds on that.

Good luck!