well that didnt go as planed

[lesgo54]

I started with 8 production reds that were 12 weeks old when I bought them. 2 died and now the others are 20 weeks old. Today I bought two 13 week old EE and introduced them to my other 6. It didn't go good. If I hadn't seperated them in 1 minute my 6 would have killed the new birds. I built them a pen inside the pen and will try that for a while. Any other sugestions would be nice

 

[Messipaw]

You are heading in the right direction. You need to keep them separated by a chicken fence for a bit so they can get to know each other first. They need to see and smell each other through the fence first. Then they can start sharing a pen or free ranging together. Little by little they will get there. Make sure you join them at night before bed. I put my new hension the roosting bar with my already sleeping older girls, this way they wake up together and are none the wiser.
Good luck.

 

[Mrs. K]

A couple of weeks, and the size thing will be more equal, and it should work better. Mrs K

 

[CherishHolland]

I agree you are on the right path with the separation fence,the older ones will show the new ones who is boss but as long as they are separated for a couple days-weeks the older ones will get used to seeing the new and then you can slip the new ones into the coop at night while they are asleep. I have done this 4 different times and each time have successfully merged flocks. My latest success was merging 6 week old toddlers into a flock of 14 week old teens. I was worried about the size but I have to say the little ones hold their own and we also offer lots of hide outs that the big ones can not fit to get to them. Best of luck
Cherish

 

[lesgo54]

Thanks for the input

 

[BrendaJ]

Its always better to quarantine new birds first. Keeping them in separate pens for a while will help them adjust. There will always be a pecking order. My newest ones are 14 wks old now & the adult hens still assert the queen bee attitude.