20 week old pullet integration

[Mikep7719]

I have a 20 week old pullet that I've been integrating into my flock of 5 RIR and white rocks. My question is why does the pullet run away from them instead of submitting to the old girls? I've had birds That i integrated before that would squat to the older ones. When the pullet goes up to roost at night she gets pecked a few times by the older ones but eventually they all settle down. Any ideas?

 

[sourland]

Because she is smart ? Why submit to a beatdown?

 

[Mikep7719]

Because she is smart ? Why submit to a beatdown?

Wouldn't it just make the pecking order adjustment faster?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Sounds familiar. Until a pullet matures enough to force her way into the pecking order the more mature chickens outrank her and are sometimes pretty quick to enforce their pecking order rights, especially when that immature one violates their personal space. That happens all the time with mine. Mine typically mature enough with in a few weeks of starting to lay. It's not an age thing, it's a maturity thing. Mine usually learn pretty quickly to avoid the older ones, on the roost and just hanging around during the day.

Each chicken has its own personality and they interact differently. Most of my immature chickens avoid the adults but occasionally i'll get some that intermingle a lot. They are not always that consistent. Each group is unique.

You have another issue, only one pullet. Chickens are social animals and want to be with other chickens. Since you only have one she wants to be with the other hens. But when she violates their personal space she is in danger of getting pecked. That's one reason it is usually better to integrate two or more at a time, it gives them someone to hang out with. Lots of people integrate one at a time, but it can be a bit harder.

I personally do not try to force them to be together, hoping they will fight it out and get it over with. That can lead to real violence and someone getting hurt. I try to give them as much room as I can and let them work it out on their schedule. Since it is a maturity thing they will work it out when they are ready, not on your schedule.

 

[Mikep7719]

Sounds familiar. Until a pullet matures enough to force her way into the pecking order the more mature chickens outrank her and are sometimes pretty quick to enforce their pecking order rights, especially when that immature one violates their personal space. That happens all the time with mine. Mine typically mature enough with in a few weeks of starting to lay. It's not an age thing, it's a maturity thing. Mine usually learn pretty quickly to avoid the older ones, on the roost and just hanging around during the day.

Each chicken has its own personality and they interact differently. Most of my immature chickens avoid the adults but occasionally i'll get some that intermingle a lot. They are not always that consistent. Each group is unique.

You have another issue, only one pullet. Chickens are social animals and want to be with other chickens. Since you only have one she wants to be with the other hens. But when she violates their personal space she is in danger of getting pecked. That's one reason it is usually better to integrate two or more at a time, it gives them someone to hang out with. Lots of people integrate one at a time, but it can be a bit harder.

I personally do not try to force them to be together, hoping they will fight it out and get it over with. That can lead to real violence and someone getting hurt. I try to give them as much room as I can and let them work it out on their schedule. Since it is a maturity thing they will work it out when they are ready, not on your schedule.

I had two pullets but unfortunately it was attacked by a predator. Thank you for the response!