tRYING TO INTEGRATE MY FLOCK???

[luvchicks8]

I have older babies 10- 12 weeks old that REALLY need to go into the larger coop , problem is there is 4 16-20 week olds in there now who have a better idea about that. Anyway I free range all day and was wondering if I should let them free range together for a week or so first before trying to just stick them in there???I did use another postersidea of spraying the coop and the chickens with apple cider vinagar and water so there was no scent differnace. Not sure if this helps but I have had them in a smaller oytdoor coop that the older chicekns walk by and can see them for over a week now and the older ones have been quite the noisy neighbors so they have seen each other.

 

[txredneckmedic]

I took all mine out of the coop, put the new ones in then put the older ones back in...went fine

 

[luvchicks8]

I tried that and ended up with an attack on the silkie and it was a four on one attack so I'm alittle scared now. The silkie was fine because I was there to grab her but I'm not sure she would have made it out alive if I wasnt there.

 

[cmom]

I would try to free range them together first. That way they can run away if they are chased. I also put some treats out so that they would hopefully fixate more on the treats than each other. On my BYC Page is a section of how I first integrated my flocks. I know the same doesn't work for everyone and everyone has a different situation.

 

[classless chickens]

You are asking this at the right time for me to share, I just integrated 2 - 11 week old pullets in with my 16 week olds. I put them in the coop in side a dog cage. (you know the ones that you can see really good out of) I read in one of my chicken books to do it this way. The other chickens hissed and growled alot at first, but they were protected. Then I read that you can take a mixture of water and vinegar and spray it on them at night and they will all have the same smell. I did all this for 3 days, slowly allowing them out with the others while I watched over them. By the 4 th night I let them sleep with the others and so far everything is kosher. Last night was the fifth night.
One of my roosters has taken a liking to them and hangs around them all day, so I think that helps too.
I hope this is helpful.

 

[Buff Hooligans]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-adding-to-your-flock

 

[fornese]

I integrated some pullets into a flock of 1 year old RIR. it was a pain. I put the pullets in a wire cage inside the fenced in coop area. I had to feed and water them separate. it took about 3 months for the older hens to accept the younger ones. i would go out DAILY and try to let the pullets out and watch them carefully.

Yes, I let them all out together to free range. This seems to help since the older ones don't have an area to defend.

 

[JennsPeeps]

We've been running parallel flocks for months are are sick of it. They've been in the coop with a divider for ~2 months. We finally pulled out the divider and are making them work it out. Lots of squabbling, chasing, and pecking, but no more blood since a couple of incidents back in May. We're hoping they'll settle down in a few more days. The BO and BA could start to lay anytime and I want them in the nesting boxes, not out in the yard somewhere.

 

[luvchicks8]

Thanks everyone for your help they did join the big "boy' s outside but they are still in there own coop for now.

 

[chookchick]

I really don't think that chickens identify by scent--I think it is completely visual. I had proof of this one time when I took a chicken back that had been at my place for 5 days. The owner just put it back into the flock. It was a large flock of about 40 birds. All of the chickens ignored her--except the other one that was a SLW just like her. It was the weirdest thing--she just went after that chicken, and then the others began to notice and join in (hope it ended okay....!). The other SLW must have realized that this was a new chicken as she had not seen one that looked like that recently!
Anyway--if you can free-range you have it made. I am close to integrating two flocks that have been penned side by side for 3 weeks, but I want to be around all day to watch them (have to share a run). Integrating sucks.