Adding new chickens to old flock.

[FrankBlissett]

They'll likely get things sorted out just fine. I agree with the "see but no touch" - we try to do so when practical, though if pressed for time or space we'll speed the process up. As noted, introducing at night helps too.

Regarding quarantining - it's nice, but not always do-able in practice. You DO risk introducing diseases into your flock, but it takes a bit of space.

-Frank

 

[peepkeeper]

A week of being separated by a divider would have helped, but since they're there, let it be unless they're getting picked on to the point of being injured or going hungry. Leave food and water in a few different vantage points around the coop and run so they can eat wherever they are. Set up that divider so that if things get out of hand you can move them fast. After about a week of being chased around everyone should start to settle down.

 

[Nebbo]

Good thread. I came in to the forum today with a similar problem. I have an established flock of five mixed hens and a Leghorn rooster. Late this spring I picked up some peeps: 2 buff orps, 2 RI Reds, and a barred rock. They are not quite adult sized yet, of course, but out running around. The original flock won't let them integrate. The rooster initially tried herding them back into the coop when they would come out in the morning, which I interpreted as "You're too little to go outside!" Now I'm seeing it more as "go away". He doesn't pick on them, just ignores them. The hens, on the other hand, chase them away, and if one of these kids tries to stick her head in the feed while the big girls are there, they'll get a peck on the head.

Will this go away as they reach full size and look "normal"? Nobody is being mauled or anything, but I'd like one big happy family.

Will it help when I finish the big roost so everybody can roost in the same spot?

 

[Chelly]

I just got really lucky and introduced 4 bantam chickens to my babies (8 Standards about 7 weeks old) they're all the same size, and the coop is SO big that nobody is really chasing anyone - they're kinda keeping their distance. The Roo (bantam) did have to put a chick or two in her place, but they all slept together last night all bunched up on the top roost.

 

[jmass]

Nebbo, That is kinda like the problem I have. I noticed that I have one loud hen that was doing most of the chasing, so I put her in a cage of her own for a few days and then everyone got along fine. The new NHR's are still a little scared but they are not being chased now. This afternoon I let the mean hen back out and so far so good.

 

[HallChicks]

I just introduced 2 barred rocks to my 2 wyandottes and the wyandottes will not let them out of the coop! I like the idea of putting food all over- I am really worried that they are not eating or drinking (food and water is outside).... They have also stopped laying. It is normal for them to stop laying if they are under stress?

 

[jmass]

Well, caging the top hen up for a few days has solved the problem, It looks like everyone is getting along fine now. Thanks for all the help.