ready to introduce pullets to existing flock

[tom076]

I have 4 2 yr old hens and 1 2 yo rooster, I bought 6 chicks at local farm supply this spring. They are now about 14 weeks old, fully feathered and about 2/3 as big as the smallest hen. I've had them in a separate smaller run against the side of the chicken run. The main run is 10 x 10 and the youngsters run is 3 X 8. Today I introduced them on the area outside both coops. Chicks were a little nervous and one of them tried challenging the rooster, not smart, the the least dominant hen came over to the newbys and picked a fight not to bad. I let them all free range for about 45 minutes then called the adults in and gave them some scratch, after they were in thier coop/run I chased the chicks into their smaller run. How many times do you think I need to do this before permantly putting them together? The older hens are my first effort at this chicken thing.

 

[BirdHead]

Keep doing what your doing, you're on the right track.. Also are they the same breed? Check and make sure you don't have a cockerel with the new chicks, don't need two roosters unless you split the two groups.. The chicks can grow more and your hens could not accept them still even after being slowly integrated, so you just might have two social groups of chickens now haha but only if what you're trying doesn't work, it has to be a slow slow introduction.

 

[tom076]

Keep doing what your doing, you're on the right track.. Also are they the same breed? Check and make sure you don't have a cockerel with the new chicks, don't need two roosters unless you split the two groups.. The chicks can grow more and your hens could not accept them still even after being slowly integrated, so you just might have two social groups of chickens now haha but only if what you're trying doesn't work, it has to be a slow slow introduction.

 

[tom076]

Thanks for the input.

 

[Mrs. K]

When you let your old biddies out, put your chicks in their (old girls) side of the run and coop a couple of times. Lock the big girls out. This allows the chicks to eat, drink, and find escape routes and hide outs with out real danger. Even go in there an give them a bit of a chase, so they can escape safely. The old chickens will get kind of used to seeing them in that space too. Gives the chicks a bit of an advantage to explore the strange area without threat.

 

[aart]

When you let your old biddies out, put your chicks in their (old girls) side of the run and coop a couple of times. Lock the big girls out. This allows the chicks to eat, drink, and find escape routes and hide outs with out real danger. Even go in there an give them a bit of a chase, so they can escape safely. The old chickens will get kind of used to seeing them in that space too. Gives the chicks a bit of an advantage to explore the strange area without threat.

Excellent suggestions!...from @BirdHead too!

Welcome to BYC @tom076!

Here's a few more integration tips:
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

 

[tom076]

Excellent suggestions!...from @BirdHead too!

Welcome to BYC @tom076!

Here's a few more integration tips:
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

 

[tom076]

Ok, they have been together for several days now, after a little drama when I first put the youngsters in the run, my roo and one hen refused to go back into the run and I couldn't leave the gate open to let them in on their own. Had to catch each of the youngsters and forcefully put them in the coop with doors closed, then open gate to the run for the resisters to come in to roost, after four or five trips around the run cogburn the roo and bubble butt finally gave up and entered the pen. Then I opened the pop door and they went inside the coop, checked on everyone after dark and the youngsters were huddled on the floor in the corner, the five adults were on the roosts according to pecking order. Early next morning they were all out in the run (10X10) chain link fence with overhead wire, few skirmishes no serious fighting, pecking order seems well established.