Integrating Flocks: Adults and Adolescents
Integrating new chickens into your flock can be a stressful event for everyone. Chickens establish a hierarchy or "pecking order" among their flock and when new members are brought in, this hierarchy is tested again.
These barred rock and buff orpington pullets are around 3-4 months old now and fully feathered out, which is a good time to take them outside. I kept them in a crate within the chicken run for a while for the adults to start getting used to them. The adults had also been curious to check in on them when they were being raised in the garage and would sneak in from time to time.
When I let the pullets out of the crate, I made sure to supervise for a while. Setting some downed tree branches around the pen will give the younger hens a place to run and hide if the older birds start getting aggressive.
You really have to watch out for aggressive roosters. A rooster can do serious harm to young chickens. Thankfully only one of our rooters has been aggressive, the other two have been pretty docile which is good. If you see a chicken being particularly abusive, you can segregate them for a while to cool down.
I usually let my adults free range, but to have the new flock bond together I will keep them penned up for a few weeks. The young ones will get used to their new home, going up into the coop at night, and hopefully bond with the adults. If the young ones wander off by themselves when free ranging they will be an easy meal for the hawks. The chickens have to work together to keep an eye out on potential predators.
The little ones sure did take advantage of those tree limbs. Best little spot to hide when things got a bit too scary.
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We integrated 2 flocks together a few years ago. We followed all the advice about allowing them to see each other for several weeks before letting them out together. It went fairly well but we did have to 'rehome' one bully that couldn't accept the new ones, even after we tried segregating her. I don't think I will make a habit of doing this...too much stress, and work!
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I'm glad to see your chickens are doing well. When will they become a permanent part of the flock? Does it take a few weeks? I'm glad your roosters aren't being overly aggressive. We have a few roosters we need to cull. 5 roosters and 11 hens is a few too many roos. Thanks for sharing your post!
It can take a few weeks. I really hate keeping them all locked up together, but if they don't bond with the adult flock they will be easy prey.
Anyone that says animals don't have personalities, don't know much about animals. I have been around critters of all sorts throughout my life and even watch animals in the wild. Not so much by their appearance, but by their actions I have been able to identify individuals. I have assisted in raising chickens and ducks. I have seen them play with dogs, some with just nasty attitudes and some that were very loving, not only to me, but to their fellow creatures.
We had a Norwegian duck that used to play with our little dog Parker. They would chase each other around the yard, never hurting one another even when they got caught by one another. We had another dog that would just want to eat the ducks and chickens. The smaller dog would protect the duck and other pets we had on our little homestead.
Thank you so much for sharing the pictures and info bro. I always enjoy your homestead and prepper posts. My best to your lady and children. Have a great week!
Respectfully yours @sgt-dan (sargento)
You can make a chicken prison where you will imprison aggressive and abuse roosters as a punishment :)
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I’m getting ready to add a couple new chickens to my small flock, so this information comes at the perfect time!