When can I free range a newly integrated flock?

[Soto Hobby Farm]

Hi there!

I have just integrated two flocks together and now have 13 chickens in the same barn and pen. They’ve been together for about 5 days. They still don’t interact much and tend to stick to their own. I’d like to go back to free ranging them at least for a few hours in the evening. When is this recommended?

 

[sourland]

Are they in a new coop ? If so I would wait several more days. If not I'd give it a go tonight.

 

[feathermaid]

I always thought free ranging was a good way to start integrating. If they're already together, why not let them out now? Do they know where home is? They'll probably always stick mostly in their original sub-flocks, nothing to worry about.

 

[aart]

Hi there!

I have just integrated two flocks together and now have 13 chickens in the same barn and pen. They’ve been together for about 5 days. They still don’t interact much and tend to stick to their own. I’d like to go back to free ranging them at least for a few hours in the evening. When is this recommended?

Where did they live before?
How old are they?

 

[Soto Hobby Farm]

They are a group or 1 yr olds, a group of 4.5 month olds and 1 - 3 yr old from the city. The two groups were born and raised here but the 3 yr old was a city hen that started crowing and she moved in 3 days ago.

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

I have found that free ranging the two flocks together is a great way to introduce them. They have ample room to get away from each other if needed and the hunting and pecking kind of distracts them so that the pecking order is not so severe. So yes, free ranging them together is a good idea.

I just introduced new birds to my established flock a few days ago. Took them two days of free ranging together to feel comfortable with each other. Tonight they actually went to bed in the same coop. That is a big deal!! They are doing great!!

This was just my experience anyway.