Adding new chickens to a large flock...

[bruced267]

So we have 18 girls, a mixed flock of Rocks, RI Reds, Comm. Black, ect. They are just over a year old.

We wanted to add some new girls and some color, so we got 4 Easter eggers, 2 Wynadottes

So at about 10 wks we put them in to the coop, all seemed fine.... I opened the door to see one of the Reds picking one of the EE's apart! It was pretty bad the whole top of head was ripped open!! I pulled that one out, and put the rest in a kennel in the coop to protect them. I also put them out right next to run, so they are side by side.

While cleaning and what not, I have noticed the older girls are still aggressive towards the new comers. I have done some reading on what to do, add them in at night, wait till they are bigger, pull the offenders out.

Any advice on what to do from here?

 

[ParsonPlace]

I've been having the same trouble except my original hens are five months and the new ones are seven months. They are really being aggressive to the new flock. (which includes one rooster that is seven months). I have read the article on Bullying that was posted and it has helped some. For me I think time is the key and plenty of room .

 

[lcahill]

When I introduced my little ones to my "snotty, snobby" leghorn girls I built a small enclosure in the coop just big enough for the little ones. They stayed there for three weeks. There was some agression when I let them all together but nothing too serious. Mainly just pecking order stuff. I think that having the chickens all together but separated is the key to integration, however when I received 25 eighteen month olds I just added them to the other flock (which are 18 weeks and 12 weeks) and no one has been hurt. (the 25 hens were rescued from deplorable conditions and are nowhere near proper size)