When two flocks become one…

[Mr_martyg]

Here’s a question for you all: how do you merge two flocks into one safely?
The back story: I am

what I would consider a newer chicken Dad. I adopted four established Rhode Island reds over a year ago. These birds are 2-3 years old. In lasts August I hatched/adopted from same hatch date a total of 6 birds. These birds are 3 jerseys, one lavender Orpington, one Turkhen.1 auricana. These birds are not at laying age yet but I have a bully from one of the reds. I built a new coop50square foot coop. Bully doesn’t chase the young flock around the yard, just when in close proximity of the others or around water/food.Thoughts?

 

[Yardmom]

It sounds like you are just adding the younger birds to the older birds. Will they be starting in a new coop? Look up things related to integration.

 

[KyCoop]

You are in good company as many, many of us have gone through integration. I agree seach the site for integration of hens. You will find a lot of advise.

 

[3KillerBs]

Here are some useful articles on integration:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-coop-brooder-and-integration.74591/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-“see-but-don’t-touch”-method.67839/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/adding-to-your-flock.47756/

 

[Mrs. K]

They will become one flock when the younger birds start to lay, until then, they will be a sub flock.

Clutter helps, pin less peepers can help.

Mrs K

 

[Mr_martyg]

Update:
So turns out the “bully” decided to wait for the temperatures to plummet to do her FULL molt…. No wonder she was pissed.. PMS to the max… she literally dropped every single one of her feathers so that she was naked therefore was grumpy but the new bird surrounded her and dog piled her for the first two nights. Which was such a relief, but then I ended up quarantining the bully out of the deep cold.. Thanks for all the helpful tips! I will keep you all posted!