Will my two flocks become one?

[CaityS]

Hi Everyone!

So I recently added 5 new hens to my existing 6 hens (3 standard and 2 bantams). Quarantine and introductions went fine. They are roosting together and there have been no serious squabbles. However, during the day the new 5 and my original 6 are definitely two separate flocks. Will they ever integrate together? They eat separate, range separate, dust off separate, everything separate from each other. Will they ever become one united flock? Is there something I can do to encourage them to do so?

Thanks!

 

[BantamLover21]

Glad you joined us!

Your two "groups" of chicken may or may not integrate with eachother completely. Some birds just prefer to be alone, or with a few others. Even within some flocks that I've raised together since hatch, there are still groups of birds that don't intermingle.

 

[Wyandottes7]

Welcome to BYC!

We're glad to have you.

It's hard to tell whether they will eventually integrate fully or not. In my experience, different groups of birds that I've raised do slowly learn to live with each other more. But, they seem to always remain at least a little separate. For example, sisters roost together, away from the other birds. Yet, others seem to merge quickly. All of my Wyandotte bantams quickly become "friends" and sleep together, no matter what age they are.

I don't think that there's much you can do to help them integrate more fully. All you can do is wait and see. In time they may integrate more, or they may not. As long as they get along fine, I wouldn't be too concerned.

Good luck with your flock!

 

[DesertChickens1]

Hello and welcome to BYC! As bantamlover and Wyandotts said, some chickens just like their little groups. My Polish likes to be by herself while my others are in a group. As long as they're happy and eating and drinking they shouldn't have problems with being in their groups. Good luck in your chicken adventures!

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

As stated above, it is hard to tell if they will ever truly mix. Many times they do remain in their own little groups however. I mixed in some new birds this past spring and rarely do they really hang out together.

Good luck with your flock and welcome to ours!

 

[CaityS]

Thank you everyone for the responses!!!! They all seem happy and are eating and drinking and doing normal chicken things...so I guess I will just wait and see if any of the new girls want to be friends with the others. It is really cute though, my bantam mille fleur REALLY wants to be friends with the new girls, but they don't want anything to do with her. =(

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Good luck to you!

I like your avatar! Speckled sussex are such a great breed!

 

[drumstick diva]

As long as they are not fighting or bulling each other, I would leave well enough alone.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC!