Combining mature flocks

[JimOwens]

We have a flock of 5 that includes two 5-year old Buff Orpingtons and a Spotted Sussex an Americauna, and a black/irridescent green (maybe Black Australorp?), all of which are around 4-year olds. We've bought some property that has a flock of six Buff Orpingtons (age unknown) that the owners are leaving behind. Our old coop is too big to move, and the coop on the new property is bare bones and in a bad location. I would like to build a single, big coop, that could hold both flocks, as I don't really want to have to build two separate coops. Any suggestions on combining these two flocks?

 

[Mrs. K]

The number of birds and the space you have as far as integrating goes. You really do not have to quarantine as long as the birds look healthy. They have been there, that is their health. In effect they have been kept separate from your birds and vice versa. With the age of both sets either flock might be a carrier of something. You are taking a risk combining them.

I always look at integrating birds like a plus and minus. Close to zero works best. Older bird, larger bird, home turf birds are all pluses.

Say you have 3 home turf older birds, same size as new birds, that would be +6, if you add 5-6 strange to the set up, you are close to zero.

If you are adding a bunch to just a few, that is going to be harder.

Space and how it is set up, more is better, a lot of clutter and a lot hideouts, separate feed bowls is also important.

 

[Ridgerunner]

If they are all adults, the way Dad would have handled that would be to just put them together. He had a lot of room and free ranged them. I have no idea how much coop or run room you will have.

If you have a rooster with each flock expect a serious fight. If you only have one rooster expect him to welcome the new ladies. If they are only hens they will sort out the pecking order. This could involve fighting, especially between the two dominant hens, or it could be pretty peaceful.

It would really be nice if you could have a new bigger coop ready. I'm not sure how realistic that is. I also do not know how much run space you have, either with the old coop or will have with the new coop.

The general rules for integration are to house them side by side for a week or longer, provide as much space as you can, and have multiple feeding and watering stations so they can eat without challenging each other. Try to avoid forcing them into a tight space together. We all have different set-ups so I have no idea what you can reasonably do.

Good luck!