Putting a flock back together

[krodgers]

I have 16 chickens, most of which I raised from the egg. I added a few chickens here and there when they were younger. They are all around 17/18 weeks now. As they grew, I had to divide them because they were crowded in their original brooder. I am wanting to put them all back together. They are in two pens right next to each other, and we are about to build our permanent coop and run for them. What's the best way to reintroduce them, even though they are side by side and both groups will be new to the new coop?

 

[azygous]

Unnoticed by you, your youngsters have been getting acquainted and have already begin to sort out their ranks in relation to one another.

Since neutral space, such as a new coop or free ranging, can help ease integration stress, I would wait until the new coop is finished and move them all in together.

Since they are all around the same age, there shouldn't be too much conflict as they work out the social order. Make sure their daytime space is ample so there's no overcrowding. That, more than anything, contributes to conflicts.

 

[krodgers]

Unnoticed by you, your youngsters have been getting acquainted and have already begin to sort out their ranks in relation to one another.

Since neutral space, such as a new coop or free ranging, can help ease integration stress, I would wait until the new coop is finished and move them all in together.

Since they are all around the same age, there shouldn't be too much conflict as they work out the social order. Make sure their daytime space is ample so there's no overcrowding. That, more than anything, contributes to conflicts.

Thank you for that insight. That's what I was hoping would be a likely answer from someone. That's kind of what I figured would be the case if I moved them in at the same time. No one would have already established a rank in the "new territory." We are building it much larger than it needs to be so that hopefully there will never be an issue with overcrowding. (And maybe I could expand next year again )

 

[aart]

Sounds like you're set with the new coop and azy's good advice.

I would still have multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the 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 coop and run.

Best of cLuck!