When to introduce new poulets to my yard hens...

[jbrown_14105]

I recently got four 4-6 week poulets (R.I.R. I think) from the S.P.C.A. (rescue) and right now they are in isolation in a cage in the basement mainly/....right now outside in the cage for fresh air.
After the 30 days or so how should I introduce the 4 new girls to my free ranging girls of a year old (and they think they own the property)!
I have a coop which holds 12-15 adult hens....when should I put them in there also?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Jim Brown
Lockport NY area
Veeeeeery windy today!

 

[QualityPolish]

First wait til they can handle themselves. Probably around 8 weeks? Then section off the coop or wherever so the new ones can be introduced without getting in with the older hens. That way the pecking order can be decided without conflict. Then separate them for about another week. Later during the night slip them into the coop so in the morning they'll be to distracted to fight and go straight for food. Now hopefully they're just blending in like they've lived there their whole lives.
QP Good luck!

 

[tsasquatch]

You can start to integrate them when the younger birds are roughly 2/3 the size of the full grown birds. It is best to rig something up that will let the older birds see the younger ones, but are not able to physically contact them for at least a couple of days. This gives them some time to acclimate. More time is better. Expect some pecking/harassment from the older birds when you do introduce them for real, but the younger birds should figure out the pecking order pretty quickly.

 

[Celtic Chick]

Introducing chickens is a time consuming process, just so you know.
Never just throw new chickens into an existing flock. The results can be catastrophic. You need to have an introduction period of at least a few days to a week, preferrably with the new ones fenced off so the "old" ones can't tear them to pieces.
If you have chicks, the general rule for adding new birds to an already existing flock is to wait until the newcomers are roughly the same size as the established birds. That way, they can at least defend themselves. Otherwise, they will be seriously injured or even killed.
When introducing adult or adult-sized birds to an existing flock, a 30 day quarantine is highly recommended. Disease is easily carried from flock to flock, even on your shoes. I usually quarantine the new birds for at least 30 days, well away from the main flock, then put them in a pen near the main flock for a few weeks. You can then either divide your run into 2 separate sections or put the newcomers into a cage inside the run for a few days to let them get used to each other. Then I let them out to free range together for a few days/week, eventually they will fight it out and the new ones will blend in with the original flock.
Unacquainted chickens are going to fight, and unfortunately there is not much that can be done about it. It is just in their nature. But I would suggest that when you do finally put them together for the first time that you have the garden hose ready just in case anyone gets a little too out of hand. One quick shot of water should do it.

 

[aggie9296]

Got my red start pullets at 3 months and they were BEAT UP by the 2 older hens. Blood drawn. So I had to put the big girls out of the coop with a dog crate to sleep in at night. They could see the little ones in the coop for 2 weeks before I let them free range together. The little ones could then run away from the big ones. Then another 2 weeks of separate quarters. At 4 months, they all started going into coop together and the smaller ones learned to duck and cover when the older ones were settling into their favorite spots. Now at 5 months, they are all almost the same size and the pecking order is settling down.

 

[jbrown_14105]

Greetings List,
Thanks for all the replies.
I have the 4 poulets outside in a large rabbit/guinea pig style cage on the ground during the day to feed & scratch.
The larger hens have come over to investigate a few times but at the moment don't seem all that interested.
The new hens are starting to get their full plumage so in a week or so I think they can be "more" introduced to the "girls" controlling the "yard". Their comb & waddle are still pretty small so I know there is time yet to certainly grow.
They are showing signs of growing up though, lots of ground scratching, eating of grasses & greens, etc.
If I had a digital camera I would send pics...but I don't even use a cell phone/camera.
Thanks again,
Jim Brown
Lockport NY 14094

 

[CowgirlPenny]

Good luck! I have tried multiple times to introduce my 4 week old and 5 week old's to my 10 week olds with no luck. My 10 week olds just beat the snot out of them right away even though they have been caged side by side for weeks. I've heard it's a lengthy process, and does not always go well. I hope yours has a better outcome!