Unwanted free range neighbor.

[Our Roost]

My companion and girlfriend was filling the water and feed for our flock when she noticed what she thought was one of our chickens that got out of the fenced run area. I was immediately summoned to help get her back into the coop run. I know my chickens very well and this bird just wasnt one of mine after furhter observation. It was one of our neighbors flock that was free ranging outside of its area and came by for a visit! Needless to say she wasnt accepted by my birds and a skirmish occurred from one side of the fence to the other. Raised neck feathers and beaks were locking. Outnumbered 24 to 1 the bird departed thankful the fence seperated her from my birds. Can only imagine if I had corraled this bird into my coop thinking it was one of ours!
I have read lots of articles about introducing new birds to the flock. We will market some birds for meat this fall and plan to get more new chicks in the spring. I am concerned now as to how difficult this may be. They may not be accepted. I currently have 2 roo's and they arn't getting along well at all. I ordered all hens but 2 decided to be roosters! One has to go and soon. They are only 4 months old but are starting to show their dominance as flock leaders. The Barred Rock rooster will get a new home. Bubba Gump, our other roo is a fine looking black Jersey Giant rooster that I'm sure will sire some great baby chicks. Hoping this will occur when the hens start brooding and egg laying. We are first timers and only read the BYC articles and a few books suggested by this great forum. I hope the chicks will fit in naturally with the rest of the flock. If any of you bird raisers out there have any tips, feel free to pass them on to us. Just joined our grandson into 4-h club and hope we may get some support there also. Thanks!

 

[SouthernChicka8]

I have several different aged chickens, several breeds. I have separate coops and runs for them all.
I keep them separated if they dont get along. But I suppose I have 3 separate flocks and they all tend to get along. I have 1-2 roos with each flock and so far so good.

 

[HEChicken]

Between now and when you want to add new birds, do a little reading on integration. I introduce new birds all the time and have really never had any issues but many people do, so that is why I suggest reading up on it, to get some ideas and tips for what works and what doesn't.

In a nutshell, if bringing in adult/started/older birds, you should quarantine for 30 days to be sure they aren't carriers of something that might make yours ill. You don't have to worry about this with chicks because the four weeks they spend in the brooder serves the same purpose and will tell you if there are issues.

Space is the key to a successful integration. Too little space and the existing flock will guard it fiercely, chasing the new birds and keeping them from food and water. Give them enough space and first, the existing flock won't worry so much about the new birds and second, even if there is the occasional skirmish, there is plenty of room for the new bird to run to get away. Set out multiple feed/water stations so the new ones can't be prevented from eating.

Some people divide their coop with chicken wire, putting the new birds on one side so they can interact through the fence without hurting one another. My setup isn't conducive to doing something like that so I can't comment on how successful it is. My feeling is that no matter how long you let them see one another, when you take down the partition, if there is not enough space, you will likely still have the issues.

One of the best ways to integrate is if you get a broody hen. Let her sit on eggs and the chicks will be raised as a part of the flock and never need to be integrated at all.