Adding a NEW old girl to my small flock.... not going well need solution ASAP!

[Rose95]

Added a 3 yr old Black Copper Maran to my existing 3 ( RIR, Black Sexlink, and Barred Rock). I added her to the hen house lasr night and she kind of hurled herself into the others then she left the house and roosted in the run I assume all night. Now the other 3 are not letting her eat or drink and chasing her around. She has resorted to hiding in the hen house. I let the others out to range, but she is still not coming out. Should I take her out and try againin a few more days?? Should I leave her with my least aggressive bird and take the other 2 out for a few days?? Or should I just stay out of it??? Advice PLEASE and Thank you!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You are putting an intruder into their coop, they are doing what is natural and are trying to drive her away, she doesn't want to be there, it's going to take a while, usually it's recommended to house any new members separate but where they can be seen for a couple of weeks before trying introducing them, another way is to do one on one introductions, putting one hen with the new hen with the hopes they will get along. It takes a bit of time and it's best not to rush it.

 

[chickmomma03]

I had 4 EE to introduce to my older chicks (older were bought May 1st younger were bought June 5th). I tried to just merge them slowly but that didn't go well at all so I did a look but don't touch approach. I built a mini coop inside the run, put the little chicks in it for a few weeks with their own food and water. The big chicks could see them every day all day, but couldn't get to them to peck/attack. Last week I let them out of the mini coop and the bigs didn't mess with them much, at night I put the littles into the coop in their own space and they have done fine since. The bigs don't mess with them too much. Though my 2 cochins can be little naughties and chase the littles away from their food/water which I have outside under a chair to try to help reduce food/water issues (I think it's more about the food than anything). I have had to pick my cochins up and carry them around a couple times for being too naughty lol. It's helped some, but the cochins are at the lowest end of the pecking order with the bigs so they're trying to "fight" harder to keep their spot.

 

[donrae]

Since she's already in with the other birds, I'd leave her. This is all normal behavior for chickens with a single new member. No blood, they're doo. If you take her out now, nothing's going to change in a few days and you'll just have to start all over. If you're really concerned about her food and water, put out an extra feeder and waterer. Really though, the newcomers can sneak what they need most of the time, until the group settles down. Don't expect them to be a cohesive flock of best buddies. She'll probably always be the odd bird out.

 

[Rose95]

Somehow I missed all these great replies! Thank you all. So this is where we are. Yesterday ( Day 1) After a few hours of them picking on her I decided to let the 3 originals out to range as they normally would. New girl was hold up in the hen house but eventually came out to the Run. Originals were shut out and I provided additional food and water for them which was placed near the food and water inside the run so they would be eating near each other, but not able to chase her. They all made it into the coop at dusk after some harassing. This morning it started all over again. I repeated the same separation until dusk. Harassment ensued and they all snuggled up in the hen house again. 2 of my 3 originals are just relentless. It's hard to watch. Tomorrow thinking to leave my least aggressive original inside with her to see if this helps smooth things over.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would try that, it will eventually calm down, usually after you can't take anymore.

 

[Rose95]

Ok.. Left my RIR (least aggressive) in the Coop with my new BCM. The other 2 are outside ranging but stay obsessively close to Coop.This is going MUCH better although not perfect. Trying to decide if I should place 2 meanies in kennel for the night time and then repeat this daytime separation for several days then add one at time back at night??? How does that sound???

 

[Peeps61]

One thing I have learned over the years is that the low bird/horse/dog/man on the totem pole is usually the meanest when a new animal is introduced to the flock or herd. The alpha usually just goes on about his/her business if they deign to notice the newcomer at all. It's those that don't want to be last on the pecking order that beat the crap out of the newbies. I think what you are doing is good and will eventually work. Give them some time. I free range all 35 of mine together and they are a multi-generational flock. My younger birds have learned to stay out of the way of the 8 older hens I have. I think if you are going to lock any chickens away for a while, I'd pick the meanest of the two that you are still having issues with and lock that one up. The other one may fall into line since she will be the only one that's not happy with things and the other two are fine with each other. Once she's settled in with the new bird, then introduce the other one and see what happens.

I usually put them together when free ranging because the lower birds on the pecking order can get away or hide.