Adding new chickens to an existing flock

Mamma's Place said:

My son's inlaws had 4 chickens that they have had for 2-3 years (I think?) and they recently added 2 new chickens. One is about 4 months old and the other is about 7 months old. The new chickens are being picked on terribly. She says that at least 2 of her original chickens are brutally attacking the new ones. She asked me if we wanted to ad the 2 new ones to our flock. We have four birds that are around 11-12 weeks old. Our concern is that we have a totally enclosed coop and run which isn't all that large. It said it could hold 6 chickens but we didn't really want to max it out. Also, we have raised our chickens from day old chicks and they know us and like us. Would adding new ones change that because the new ones wouldn't know us like our own do? Is there any way my son's mother in law could handle the situation she has? Will the attacks on the new chickens ever stop? Is there something else that she can do to re-introduce them? I am so new to this and not sure what to do. Our 4 chickens are our first ones we have ever had. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

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sarandipity08 said:

Hi my name is Sara and I just purchased a home where they had backyard chickens which I adopted into my family. One coop of 4, 2 small looking hens and 2 roosters. And 1 coop of 2 fat fluffy hens. The previous owners said that they were separated because they fought. Their coops were gross and muddy. So we have spent our weekend cleaning them out and making a wonderful place for them. We are giving the roosters to a farm nearby because I can't have them in the city limits and they are crazy loud. I was wondering if you think trying to introduce the fat fluffy hens to the little ones would work or if we should get rid of the fat fluffys and just go get two more hens that look like my little ones. The fat fluffies are about 2 supposedly and my little guys are 1. Thank you!
Sara

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azygous said:

Hi Sara, welcome to BYC. From now on, look at the date on the original posting of a thread. This one goes back a number of years, and you would do better to start your own thread. Just click on "start a new thread" at the top of the page.

But let's address your questions. Chickens that don't know each other stress out when they meet. They are generally threatened by chickens not in their own group. To put two groups together requires patience and gradual conditioning. They may have fights in spite of this. This is normal.

To cut down on the conflict, it helps to have a barrier in place while they get to know each other. They may fight through the fence, but it won't be as violent as direct confrontation.

What I do is to let the new chickens come together for short periods each day with the old ones. Each day I increase the amount of time they are together. This helps the new pecking order form but it keeps the stress to a minimum, helping to preserve the self confidence of all involved. Repeated exposures along with rest periods from conflict helps to ease the process and spread it over a period of weeks rather than just a few intense days of conflict.

During this integration period it helps to have numerous perches of varying heights and barriers where timid chickens can hide. It also helps to have more than one feeding and watering station so all of the chickens get enough to eat. It may be necessary to keep a barrier between the two groups while they eat.

Throwing strange chickens together is hard on all of them. Chickens do so much better at accepting change if you introduce it gradually.

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Mrs. K said:

Sarandipity08

No, the roosters are not sad. They are unsure in new surroundings. They will adapt quickly to their new surroundings, do not feel bad about moving them out of your care.

You and your hens will be much happier without the roosters.

Mrs K

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