Drama of adding new hens to flock! Help!

[flipflops]

So I have 3 hens that have been raised together and love one another and are about 8 months old. A Buff Brahma, Salmon Fav, and Lav Orp. I have 4 new hens that are about 4 months and have been very ready to move from their huge box in my garage to the outside world. We bought a 6x8 wire dog kennel and set it up near my other hens 8x12 run/house combo yesterday. They could see each other and barely get their beaks to one another but that was it no contact. Last night about 8pm we put the new girls in the hen house with my current flock and they just all settled in and went to sleep. Today I decided to just try and let them all out together since I had a few hours this morning to watch them and it did not go well. The 2 that actually came out of the house were immediately attacked by my Brahma and Orpington and the faverolle could have cared less and was doing her own thing. The Orpington was the worst and kept corning 2 of the girls and jumping on them and pecking them. So I just gathered the 4 new ones back up and put them in the separate pen thats up against theirs so they could not get to each other! What am I doing wrong? I do not want them to get hurt or stressed out, did I not give it enough time? Should I keep them in the separate pen for awhile longer?

 

[thudson]

So I have 3 hens that have been raised together and love one another and are about 8 months old. A Buff Brahma, Salmon Fav, and Lav Orp. I have 4 new hens that are about 4 months and have been very ready to move from their huge box in my garage to the outside world. We bought a 6x8 wire dog kennel and set it up near my other hens 8x12 run/house combo yesterday. They could see each other and barely get their beaks to one another but that was it no contact. Last night about 8pm we put the new girls in the hen house with my current flock and they just all settled in and went to sleep. Today I decided to just try and let them all out together since I had a few hours this morning to watch them and it did not go well. The 2 that actually came out of the house were immediately attacked by my Brahma and Orpington and the faverolle could have cared less and was doing her own thing. The Orpington was the worst and kept corning 2 of the girls and jumping on them and pecking them. So I just gathered the 4 new ones back up and put them in the separate pen thats up against theirs so they could not get to each other! What am I doing wrong? I do not want them to get hurt or stressed out, did I not give it enough time? Should I keep them in the separate pen for awhile longer?

I would recommend letting them stay in the separated pen for about a week. They can see each other and actually communicate and interact to a point. Then repeat the process you did before. Turning them together after dark when all are on the roost. But be prepared there is Always going to be some drama. The hens must all set the pecking order. It can be a rough first day or two. Just as they are setting their pecking order just observe and make sure the squabbles do not turn bloody. This could lead to even more troubles. It is a tough time entering new hens to the flock, but they Will return soon to a happy and comfortable flock together.

 

[J&Kfeatheredfowl]

I would recommend letting them stay in the separated pen for about a week. They can see each other and actually communicate and interact to a point. Then repeat the process you did before. Turning them together after dark when all are on the roost. But be prepared there is Always going to be some drama. The hens must all set the pecking order. It can be a rough first day or two. Just as they are setting their pecking order just observe and make sure the squabbles do not turn bloody. This could lead to even more troubles. It is a tough time entering new hens to the flock, but they Will return soon to a happy and comfortable flock together.

I agree, there is always some squabbles and pecks, especially with hen v hen and rooster v rooster. But it’s best to let them have times together, and then seperate when you aren’t around to watch. Repeat once or twice. Once the fighting is minimal, then let them stay together. There will always be the odd peck or two no matter how long they’ve been together. Especially from the dominant hen.

 

[chickens really]

As long as no blood is shed you just have to let them figure it out..Chickens fight when first ever introduced..I do it as they free range..

 

[flipflops]

But it was just hard to watch because the others were screaming out and huddled in a corner terrified. She just kept jumping on them and pecking - even pulling out a few feathers.
If I keep the others separated a few days what could i use in their pen for a temporary hen house or should i just take them and put them in with the others in the big hen house and then separate in the mornings back to the other pen awhile?

 

[lazy gardener]

How big is your coop?

 

[flipflops]

The hen house is 8x8 if thats what you mean? The run area is 8x12

 

[aart]

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.

This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

 

[Mrs. K]

I agree, side by side for a week, but another trick is to switch them, put the original hens in the new cage, and the new birds in the old set up. This allows them time to explore the space without being in terror, and it lets the old ones see the new ones in the original set up. Do that for a couple of days, then try again.

 

[Peeps61]

Your new birds will also need some places to hide. I integrate mine while they are free ranging and yes, there is some scuffling and chasing, but usually it settles quickly and the birds will go to roost together in the evening. This goes on for a few days, but other than the occasional dominance display, all is peaceful after that.