adding new chickens

[Allore79]

I have 1 bantam rooster and 6 pullets (3 bantam 3 regular size) ranging in ages 14-16 weeks. I just got 2 silkies ages 14 and 10 weeks. I put them in a cage inside coop for a day and then let them out and watched for the day off and on. They keep getting pecked at. I don't know how much I allow. I am wondering if I should just keep them in the garage until they get bigger and then re introduce? Do I just let them keep getting pecked at. I know there will be some as the establish the pecking order. Just do not know how much. Advice?

 

[Bridebeliever]

Most will tell you the quarantine time away from your other chickens was not enough...unless you already did that and now you are introducing. I've been really bad about doing the quarantine because I don't have space for it...so far I have been lucky, but it is a risk.

Okay enough with that part.

As far as introducing them. I would put them back in the cage so they can be seen but not pecked. You can let them out on and off supervised by you to make sure a big attack doesn't happen. I like to do this outside of the coop while they are free ranging. But yes, they do need to work out their pecking order.

I would give the see, no touch method a full week. I wouldn't take them out of the sight of the others, you will just be starting over again.

Good luck!

 

[Allore79]

ok thank you. I will put back in cage for a week. I just felt bad because its just a large dog crate so its not nearly as big as the coop.

 

[Bridebeliever]

I know, I felt the same.

Mine also had the dog crate time. But they will be feeling a lot more secure since the other chickens will only get to look at them and not peck them.

 

[azygous]

Since chickens rarely are interested in causing trouble after they go to roost, why not start letting the new ones sleep in the coop and wake up with the others? That should expedite things, and make it a little less uncomfortable for the new ones.

When you go out in the morning, you can gather up the newbies and restore them to their safe quarters. I would also begin letting them out for periods during the day to get a feel for things, and to gain self confidence.

Yes, they will certainly get pecked, but it's part of sorting out their place in the social order. If you see one get attacked and stomped by several ganging up at once, that is not acceptable, and those chickens need time out in the box themselves.