How To Introduce New Chickens To The Older Flock

I’m sitting out front in a rocking chair enjoying the cool fresh morning. Birds chirping, squirrels jumping from one branch to another.

I started thinking as one does with a cup of coffee in hand, eye’s gazing beyond the oak trees. Thinking about the blog, the garden, the chickens, the kitchen remodel, my brain was having a thought marathon all on its own.

It dawned on me that I didn’t document the process and growth of my second flock of chickens. I didn’t document the “How to Emerge the Newer Flock to the Existing Flock”.

I recall researching the process and it was a bit discouraging until I founds this video:

You know what, his technique actually worked! Granted it was a long process, about 3-4 months but worth it.

The first step was to introduce the newer flock to the older flock by keeping the newer flock in a separate run and separate coop. That way the older non brooding flock can investigate and the little ones are in a safe environment behind the wire. At this stage you want the older flock to familiarize themselves with the newer flock and vice versa.  We created a temporary chicken coop and run for the little chicks.  Once the secondary coop was complete, we transferred the baby chicks to their temporary home.  We made sure to do this in the morning before letting the older flock out from the  main coop.  This helped reduce stress to both flocks.  The little chicks adapted quickly to their new home and it was time to release the older flock.  Now the fun begins!

I introduced the 3 young chicks, Mai Tai, Mojito, and Martini to the outdoor elements when they were about 8-10 weeks old.  I installed a heat lamp to keep them warm at night.

The older flock instantly was curious.  Each and every single one of them had taken their turn to investigate the new guest, oh I mean invaders of the chicken range.

Could this possibly be a chicken staring contest?  As the day went on, both flocks familiarized with each other and hug around each other.

January 2016 was the first time I let the young chicks mingle with the older flock without any wire to separate them. I stood and observed the behaviors with my dad and little sister. As I was observing a discouraging thought came to my mind, what if this isn’t going to work? Or is this going to turn into a blood bath? All three of us stood their hoping for the best.

Sure enough the pecking order started to take place. There was pecking but no blood was drawn and it only lasted for a couple of weeks. Over all it went pretty well.

The first night Mai Tai, Mojito, and Martini, jumped into the temporary coop.  I was hoping that this was temporary until the pecking order was established.  The next two nights, it was the same thing.  I knew deep down inside that this wasn’t good and that they needed to be in the large chicken coop to roost with the older flock.

My instinct kicked in.  That night, with my dad’s help, we carried Mai Tai, Mojito and Martini in our arms during their zombie like state and placed them gently in the large chicken coop.  All three chicks readjusted their roosting positions for the night.

The following morning we all woke up early to see what the reactions were.  Sure enough, they all got along and every night to this day, they all jump into the large chicken coop and roost together.  Above is a photo of Mojito foraging among the older flock, Pearl and Cleopatra.

My next goal is to introduce two adult male Lion Head bunnies to the flock. The results should be interesting.

Love is the key,

Autumn