Adding 4 new birds

Pekin747

Songster
Feb 20, 2019
625
959
206
Ireland
I'm adding 4 Japanese bantams to one of my small flocks
There is currently 3 Indian runners and 2 bantams
I know they can fly and are quit capable of doing it
I dont want to add a net to the area as its quit large and I do t want to clip their wings either
How tall would the fence have to be to ensure they cant fly out? as they will be next to a field on one side and my 6 other Indian runners on the other side and I'm fearful they would fly out and run away or the large group of Indian runners would hurt them
 
How tall would the fence have to be to ensure they cant fly out?
That's a tough call......hard numbers are usually worthless as it depends on what's inside, and outside, the fence. Even clipped wings may not deter a bird from clambering up and over the fence is something is threatening it inside the fence(your other birds) and/or the 'grass is greener' outside the fence.

I'd keep your new birds safely confined within the area until you get them integrated.
Are the new birds adults or chicks?

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.
 
They r fully grown birds but not adults I've decided that I'm going to pit my pair of bantam bramhas in there and turn their old place into a a place for the japs
I pit the fence 2 meters high and they have lots in their enclosure berry Bush to pick at dirt to scratch at around the pond there is plenty of flush and the bramhas seem to ways enjoy them and my youngest brother (the Indian runners r his favourite and when hes over which is 4 out of 7 days a week he spend 90% of the time in the run with them)
My next time is to pit a better perch tch and nesting boxes in I've a temporary stiff in it but ima definitely change it as its not up to the standered I wont it at
And helpful tips on nesting boxes and perches ideas always open to feed back
 

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