Integrating New Chickens

[MotherHen75]

So our flock got kinda picked out. We started with 10 chickens, or so we thought. Three turned out to be boys, one killed the other two. Down to 8. One chicken died of heart attack and another from a dog. We got rid of the rooster, too aggressive. We rehomed a hen, she got picked on and was extremely skittish.

Down to four hens. We got four more pullets and a cockerel. Two of the pullets are bantams, one a silkie and the other a flower hen bantam of some sort. Cockerel a black cochin bantam.

The four original hens have been raised with roosters of all size, a cochin bantam, a silver bantam and a big road island red. Will they get used to the new bantams or will they pick on them? The little flower hen bantam is very feisty but sweet. She’s probably going to be pretty high on the pecking order despite her size.

 

[MotherHen75]

The new chickens and cockerel have been in a separate coup and not allowed to free range. Almost every day though i let them mingle a bit. The big hens get curious, sometimes attack but the cockerel always runs them off. He does try to help, bringing the hens closer to each other but always protects his ladies.

 

[aart]

Will they get used to the new bantams or will they pick on them?

Any new birds brought in are a 'threat' to the existing birds..
....it will take time for them to get used to each other.
How old, in weeks, are the pullets and cockerel?
Usually pullets don't make their way into the main pecking order until they start to lay.
Sounds like it's going pretty well, but...
...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.

 

[MotherHen75]

Any new birds brought in are a 'threat' to the existing birds..
....it will take time for them to get used to each other.
How old, in weeks, are the pullets and cockerel?
Usually pullets don't make their way into the main pecking order until they start to lay.
Sounds like it's going pretty well, but...
...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.

We have two waterers and two feeders, big bushes in the front and some shrubs and trees to the side where the coups are. We have four acres so plenty of room. The new pullets are laying eggs, about 6 months old. I’ll put some logs out when i let them mingle.

 

[MotherHen75]

Ok so, the younger ones are mingling with the older ones, older ones tried to attack the cockerel, he ran them off. Whenever they get close the cockerel runs them off. Will this eventually stop?

 

[aart]

Will this eventually stop?

Eventually.

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.

How old are all these birds?
What does their coop and run look like?
Dimensions and pics would be most helpful.

 

[MotherHen75]

The older ones are just over a year old, and the smaller ones are just over 7 months old. They all have started laying eggs. The first coup is where the older hens are, second one is the younger ones coup.