Stupid Newbie Question

[WhatAboutBob?]

Ok. I am uncertain how to accomplish this. I just last week became the proud parent of 6 GLW pullets- 5 hatched 7/24 and 1 on 8/8... All are acclimating nicely since then. They will eat around my feet when I feed then and don’t race away off to a corner of the coop when I enter.

Ok now to my question. I am also adopting an EE cockerel and pullet that are approximately 3 months older. What is your best advice at bringing these all together?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

House them side by side for a few weeks until all become more familiar with seeing each other, than try letting them mingle.

 

[Julie evans]

Can you find somewhere to quarantine the older chickens for a month so you dont accidentally introduce a disease too you're younger flock after 30 days you can introduce the two new ones in side the coop for a few days they are going to start a pecking order the older ones will be first then the younger ones will sort them selves out

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

not a stupid question at all. If you search "integration" here on byc ghoul find several approaches that can be used depending on your setup. I prefer the approach @oldhenlikesdogs mentions above

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

not a stupid question at all. If you search "integration" here on byc ghoul find several approaches that can be used depending on your setup. I prefer the approach @oldhenlikesdogs mentions above

You said ghoul.

 

[peckpeckpeck]

No such thing as stupid questions.

I'm curious what people think about the difference in age.
Original GLW flock = 2-2 1/2 months old
New EE pair = 5 months old

Will the older new kids pick on the young 'uns?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

No such thing as stupid questions.

I'm curious what people think about the difference in age.
Original GLW flock = 2-2 1/2 months old
New EE pair = 5 months old

Will the older new kids pick on the young 'uns?

I think the young kids will run in terror and try to abandon the territory to the older birds. The older birds are at that age when they are reaching sexual maturity and they tend to be more moody and prone to more aggressive behaviors. They will try to claim the territory.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Ok. I am uncertain how to accomplish this. I just last week became the proud parent of 6 GLW pullets- 5 hatched 7/24 and 1 on 8/8... All are acclimating nicely since then. They will eat around my feet when I feed then and don’t race away off to a corner of the coop when I enter.

Ok now to my question. I am also adopting an EE cockerel and pullet that are approximately 3 months older. What is your best advice at bringing these all together?

quite the crew there glad you dropped in might want to start when they are all about the same size let them see each other without beings able to touch the first week the cockerel is still young keep an eye to see he treats them well he should not want to mount till they are ready to lay eggs go with your gut feeling when you can put them together it can be daunting

 

[PirateGirl]

Mine didn't have quite as big an age difference, but I think it helps that the younger ones are the ones already established and have territory and comfort in the coop and are greater in number, and the older ones will be the newbies.

 

[aart]

You said ghoul.

OGM's typos have been a frequent source of head tipping amusement since she got her new phone

@Boynedoc ....the cockerel would be my biggest concern, at that age they can be horny terrors from hell. It may work out fine, but be ready with a separate enclosure(large wire dog crate works well) for him should things get too crazy.

Here's my integration spiel:

Here's some notes I've taken on integration that I found to be very helpful.......
......take what applies or might help and ignore the rest.
See if any of them, or the links provided at the bottom, might offer some tips that will assist you in your situation:

Consider biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article
BYC 'quarantine' search

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