Will they get along?

[Krystle518]

I have 4-5 month old production red hens. I want to add 3 or 4 same aged barred rock or Isa brown girls. Do I need to be care on mixing breeds? I want everyone to be happy

 

[TheKindaFarmGal]

No, introduce them right and everything should go fine.

 

[Krystle518]

Is there a special way I should do it? Like separate pens for a while then put them together?

 

[TheKindaFarmGal]

Yeah, that would be good. Ideally they should go into quarantine for a couple weeks before you put them in with the other chickens to make sure you aren't introducing new disease to a healthy flock. It would be wise to let them see/hear each other before being put together.

I don't make a big deal of introducing new birds to the flock, but it is easier for me because I have roosters. You didn't mention any, so I assume you don't, but it should still go fine. Hope all goes well and you get some new birds soon!

 

[lazy gardener]

How big is your coop and run? There will be pecking order issues: to be expected. Do you let them out to free range? If you can give the new girls a sectioned off space in the coop and run for a few days, then let them mingle in the run or free range, that might help them to get integrated. Better to get them integrated before they get much older.

 

[Krystle518]

The coop is for 6 to 8 chickens. I have 3 girls now so I think the space is good. Plus they are more or less free range-there is a very large fenced in area. I might just section some of it off. Thanks!

 

[aart]

I have 4-5 month old production red hens. I want to add 3 or 4 same aged barred rock or Isa brown girls. Do I need to be care on mixing breeds? I want everyone to be happy

The coop is for 6 to 8 chickens. I have 3 girls now so I think the space is good. Plus they are more or less free range-there is a very large fenced in area. I might just section some of it off. Thanks!

Numbers aren't matching?

How big is coop in feet by feet?
"The coop is for 6 to 8 chickens" is usually marketing misinformation on prefab coops, is why I ask.


Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock


Consider biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article
Poultry Biosecurity
BYC 'medical quarantine' search

 

[Krystle518]

Oh I really don't know the dimensions. I will have to ask my husband. The coop said it was for 6-8 chickens. I currently have 6-3 girls and 3 boys. We only wanted girls so unfortunately the boys are going to be used for meat. We have about an acre and a half and when I am home they free range and when I am at work they have a very large penned in area. I am looking to get 3 or 4 more girls when they boys are gone.

 

[aart]

Oh I really don't know the dimensions. I will have to ask my husband. The coop said it was for 6-8 chickens. I currently have 6-3 girls and 3 boys. We only wanted girls so unfortunately the boys are going to be used for meat. We have about an acre and a half and when I am home they free range and when I am at work they have a very large penned in area. I am looking to get 3 or 4 more girls when they boys are gone.

This is often very misleading, I'd find out the real dimensions and do a little research before adding more birds.

There's a good article on Space in my signature line.

 

[lazy gardener]

I agree with Aart. The manufacturer almost always misrepresents the product he's selling. It shouldn't be too hard for you to go out with a tape measure and measure the coop and run. Without that information, it's impossible to give you any helpful information. Integration takes LOTS of extra space.