Introducing two new, young chicks to one older

[Zoom Zoom]

My tiny flock recently went from two to one hen,I've lost five over the years. That left me with one four year old Rhode Island Red who constantly looked for her BFF who had died. She was so lonely I decided to get her a couple new buddies to hang with. The girl I lost was a four year old Buff Orpington; I tried to find older hens but couldn't so yesterday, I bought two,six month old BOs. They are close to the size of my RIR. I waited until dark and put the new ones on the roost, my older hen immediately went into attack mode. Darn, I had hoped that would work. My older hen spent the night in a large crate in the coop with the new ones on the roost. Since I free range, my older hen spent the day in the yard and my new ones in the run. The older hen spent quite a lot of time checking out the newbies. My question is, am I going to have to separate the new chicks from the one hen, keeping them all in the run, as you would when introducing them to a larger flock? Or, will letting the one free range during the day and separating them at night accomplish the same goal? I know the flock the new ones came from, they are show chickens with a clean bill of health. They were last certified in August to show in a fair so I'm not concerned with bringing in sick chickens. Please help. Thanks

 

[Mrs. K]

I think you are doing this perfectly. Probably cause that is how I would do it. I think that in a week, this will be just fine. Just keep putting the old girl in the crate for a couple of nights. You might also try feeding along the fence line.

Having the old girl on the outside of the set up, allows the new ones to figure out the setup without fear of attack, and I think the old one gets used to seeing these birds in the set up. That becomes the normal.

I think this will settle down within a few days.

Mrs K

 

[aart]

Ditto what Mrs. K said.
That 'putting them in at night' thing doesn't always rarely works.
As 'lonley' as the hen might have seemed,
her territory was still invaded, they don't like that much.

After the newbies have spent a week in the run and gone up to roost,
might swap them out and keep the hen in the run and let the newbies range a bit.

Just keep Juggling those Chickens, it'll work out eventually...
...tho might take a few weeks..


Here's some other tips that you might employ:
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

 

[Zoom Zoom]

Thanks so much for the advice. I hadn't thought about switching them around. My older chick won't be too happy about staying in the run though.

 

[Zoom Zoom]

I had to leave town Saturday afternoon, returned Sunday afternoon. Imagine my surprise (and horror) when I saw my two new girls roaming the yard beside my older hen. Hubby was supposed to separate them Saturday night. He thought that was cruel so let them all roost together then he turned them out Sunday morning. I am simply amazed! Other than Petunia and Marigold (my newbies) duking it out occasionally, all are getting along famously. Tinkerbell has shown them her favorite hunting grounds (mainly my mulched perennial beds) and favorite siesta spots. I can't believe this has gone so smoothly but also so thankful. Thought you would find this story interesting. Thanks again for your advice.