Integrating

[Saundra4]

Ok I have a rooster ( polish) was suppose to be a pullet, oh well. He is about 18 weeks, the hens I got with him are are about 15 weeks. On Aug 7 I got three more pellets they are 8 weeks.

Ok I have the younger ones in a separate area so they can see each other, I even put their water near an open bar so they can all drink together, I thought it would help the older accept the younger.

Anyway I sit out and watch the interaction( the Brahma) she pecked at the little so I made it so she couldn’t.

My question is when do I know it is safe to let them with the older. There is enough space for all of them, but it is a little intimidating when the Brahma was mean. They kinda sit and look at the younger but not a lot unless I am giving them all treats. I really thought the Brahma would be the least of my concern, but no. The other two seem to care less.
Thank you for your response

 

[aart]

Might help us to have pics and dimensions of your set up of coop(s) and run(s).
Are the youngsters in their separate enclosure 24/7?

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/

 

[Saundra4]

Might help us to have pics and dimensions of your set up of coop(s) and run(s).
Are the youngsters in their separate enclosure 24/7?

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/

Thank you it has only been a week so I don’t plan on integrating until the younger are almost the same size. But definitely before anyone starts laying eggs.

 

[aart]

I don’t plan on integrating until the younger are almost the same size.

Yeah, I've heard that one before and it's what I did my first integration.
Learned it won't make much if any difference, learned integrating them as young as possible is much easier(after the work of getting it set up).
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

 

[Saundra4]

Thank you it has only been a week so I don’t plan on integrating until the younger are almost the same size. But definitely before anyone starts laying eggs.

Oh my run right now is a 12x9 space ( having another area built) there is a coop in there also, the base ie a 3x3 and the top part is larger with 4 nesting boxes and 4 roosts. The babies had to come before the other area was complete. So they are in a separate area a 2x6 enclosure that they all can stick their heads in and eat and drink with each other. It is not ideal, but I need to get things more level in the new space and add drainage.

Yeah, I've heard that one before and it's what I did my first integration.
Learned it won't make much if any difference, learned integrating them as young as possible is much easier(after the work of getting it set up).
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

 

[Saundra4]

Oh my run right now is a 12x9 space ( having another area built) there is a coop in there also, the base ie a 3x3 and the top part is larger with 4 nesting boxes and 4 roosts. The babies had to come before the other area was complete. So they are in a separate area a 2x6 enclosure that they all can stick their heads in and eat and drink with each other. It is not ideal, but I need to get things more level in the new space and add drainage.

I will keep that in mind. Maybe just another week. They all seem calmer. Definitely going to make hiding places this week. Great idea thank you