Kerry Mundt

5 Tips for Adding New Chickens to your Chicken Coop

Many owners of backyard chickens question if it's wise to introduce younger, additional birds to an existing backyard flock. This article briefly discusses the concept of the 'pecking order' and the issues that can arise in combining younger chickens with older chickens. Methods that can be taken to ensure a smooth integration in your chicken coop are also outlined.

Most owners of backyard chickens are familiar with the concept of a 'pecking order' in chicken society. Many people however, do not realise the implications of adding new chickens to an existing flock, whom have previously determined their spot within the chicken coop hierarchy.

It might not be immediately obvious, but each chicken knows who they are allowed to dominate (those beneath them in the hierarchy) and which other chickens they must submit to themselves. Adding new chickens into a chicken coop immediately means that the chickens need to establish a new order in the hierarchy. During this reestablishment phase, fighting may occur amongst the chickens in order to determine who will be submissive and who will be dominant, and finally, who will be the 'top chicken'.

So here are 5 tips to make the transition phase as easy as possible for you, as well as for your older hens and the new younger chickens.

1. Two coops along side each other

A ideal way to allow the old and new chickens to familarise themselves with their new 'house mates' without any physical contact is to use two coops temporarily side by side. If you happen to have a second coop or are able to borrow a small coop for a week or two, you can put the younger chickens in this second coop, which can then stand right next to your normal chicken coop. This gives both groups of chickens the chance to get familiar with each other, without any chance of fighting. After a week or so, you can then add the new chickens into the main coop. While it's still possible that fighting might occur, it will be less intense due to the precautionary, 'familiarization' phase that you've undertaken.

2. Add new chickens when it's dark

You will also find that adding new chickens to a flock at night-time can help to minimise the disruption that occurs. Grab a torch (flash-light) and place the younger birds amongst the older chickens already on the perches. In the evening the chickens are ready for sleep and are less likely to start a fight to establish the pecking order. In the morning, the chickens seem to be less aware of the new additions.

3. Distract birds with special treats

If the evening isn't a practical time for you to integrate your chickens, you can at least try to distract the older chickens while you add the younger chickens. Feed the older chickens some fruit or vegetable scraps, fresh weeds or grain to keep them busy and less aware of what is happening.

4. Add chickens of a similar size/ age

It's also been found that there will be less fighting if you add new chickens that are of a similar age or at least a similar size to your older hens. If your new chickens are considerably younger and smaller, chances are they will be dominated by older chickens as they are less able to defend themselves. The closer the chickens are in size/ age the less fighting that will take place.

5. Don't add a second rooster

Remember that one rooster will rule the roost. If you're thinking of adding a second rooster to your flock, you might like to think again. Roosters get quite possessive of the chickens in their coop and will fight with the new rooster sometimes even to death, to eliminate the threat of this new male in their chicken coop.

Practically it really isn't necessary to have several roosters, as one can adequately 'service' quite a number of chickens for fertilization purposes (and of course roosters aren't needed at all if you're just after fresh eggs!). I'm sure most people would also agree, that crowing rooster early in the morning is quite adequate - two roosters belting out a tune at 6am would be too much for you and your neighbours to take, no matter how much you love your backyard chickens!

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