How to introduce 18 week old birds to older birds?

[Rock17]

I am getting some pullets on Sunday. I am away for five days starting Tuesday. How should I introduce them? I have a 2m x 2m run but would that be enough for three pullets for the first week? Currently have three silkies and a faverolle bantam and getting two pekins and a cream legbar cross.

 

[aart]

I have a 2m x 2m run but would that be enough for three pullets for the first week?

Do your existing birds use this run too...or is it next to the main run??
Does this run have weather and predator protection?

Integration is probably not going to happen in just 2 days.
How big, in m x m, is the main run and coop?
Dimensions and pics would help here.

Meanwhile, here's some tips about.....
Consider biological/medical quarantine:

BYC Medical Quarantine Article

Integration Basics:

It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[Rock17]

Do your existing birds use this run too...or is it next to the main run??
Does this run have weather and predator protection?

Integration is probably not going to happen in just 2 days.
How big, in m x m, is the main run and coop?
Dimensions and pics would help here.

Meanwhile, here's some tips about.....
Consider biological/medical quarantine:

BYC Medical Quarantine Article

Integration Basics:

It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

The 2m x 2m run would have to be inside the main run since it is not predator proof. Might be able to use it for a week but it is my tortoises’ play pen so will need it back. The main run is 3m x 6m. We also have two coops and one has a hiding spot underneath. Also can use poultry tonic and nest herbs to calm them. Have heard that I should introduce them when asleep and they can roost together. Will watch them for the first few hours

 

[Ridgerunner]

Are the new ones laying yet? That says a lot about how mature they are. Immature birds can easily get picked on by mature hens so they tend to avoid the older ones after getting pecked a time or two. Pullets that are laying are more likely to stand up to older birds and get accepted into the flock. You may see some pecking and fighting but it is often over with reasonably quickly, in a day or two with mature birds. There is still the chance of injury or death so you have to pay attention. Immature birds usually take longer.

The way I'd approach your situation would be to put that small run inside the larger where it is predator proof and lave them there until you return. Then when you get back allow the younger ones access and observe. Follow Aart's suggestions as well as you can. My goal in this is not to have them be one happy cuddly family immediately. I simply do not want any to get hurt. The one-flock stuff comes later when the pullets have matured to where they need to be.

 

[Rock17]

Are the new ones laying yet? That says a lot about how mature they are. Immature birds can easily get picked on by mature hens so they tend to avoid the older ones after getting pecked a time or two. Pullets that are laying are more likely to stand up to older birds and get accepted into the flock. You may see some pecking and fighting but it is often over with reasonably quickly, in a day or two with mature birds. There is still the chance of injury or death so you have to pay attention. Immature birds usually take longer.

The way I'd approach your situation would be to put that small run inside the larger where it is predator proof and lave them there until you return. Then when you get back allow the younger ones access and observe. Follow Aart's suggestions as well as you can. My goal in this is not to have them be one happy cuddly family immediately. I simply do not want any to get hurt. The one-flock stuff comes later when the pullets have matured to where they need to be.

Ok. They might be laying but don’t know. The cream legbar might be I will check. As much as I am stressed about this I don’t know how much damage a small silkie can do. Artemis is a large silkie and may be a problem (can’t weigh her but she must be 4lbs or more)