Introducing new pullets

[whiteboy]

I have some 6 week old chicks(17 of them). I also am just about to receive a shipment of 4 more 4-6 week old WTB from McMurry which I ordered last spring. How much effort do I need to put into the integration, since they will be about the same age? My current flock is made up of 9 RIR and 8 EE's.

 

[aart]

Might just be able to just add them, but.....
.....I'd have a separate but adjacent enclosure ready to go in case things go sideways.
Use a wire dog crate or wire off part of your coop for them.

Even tho they are the same age, the newbies will likely be considered 'invaders'.

Here's some tips about.....
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/

 

[Ridgerunner]

How much effort do I need to put into the integration, since they will be about the same age?

Not sure what WTB's are but I'll assume they are chicken pullets.

I agree with Aart, you may be able to just add them without any problems but I'd have a Plan B ready in case you need it. Try it, observe, and go by what you see.

I don't know if they are going into a brooder or a coop and run. Typically the more room they have the better. They may immediately merge into one flock, they may form two separate sub-flocks and coexist peacefully. Or you may have problems. No one can know until you try it.

My definition of a successful integration is that none gets hurt. To me it doesn't matter if they all hang together in one flock or stay separate for a while, even months apart. As log as none are hurt life is good and they will work that out.

Good luck!

 

[Mrs. K]

This is a time I think I would try the add them at dark, in the dark and get up early to see what happens.

However, I am assuming that they are in the coop/run by now, and that you have multiple feed stations out of sight of each other, and numerous hideouts, platforms, roosts and mini walls that birds can get out of sight of each other.

Mrs K

 

[whiteboy]

Thanks everybody. Not here just yet. They were mailed out on monday. Hopefully they show up this morning. I have 2 runs available, I'm just going to keep them seperated by the hardware cloth wall for a week or so and then open the door. Thanks for the advice.

@Ridgerunner WTB's are Whiting True Blue chickens, and suposedly they are a sassy little breed.