Adding new hens

[Sonya.]

I have 4 grown hens that are a little over a year old. I recently added 9 new hens to the pen. They're about 3 months old. I didn't think there would be a big problem since my big hens have always been pretty laid back. But the big ones won't let the new ones eat or drink anything. This is day 2 of them being together. I have to stand at the pen for a while several times a day just so they can get a drink. Will this get better or do I need to move them? About how long should I wait before giving up and separating them?

 

[FayoumisFreak]

I would wait a few days. They need to establish a pecking order. If possible, add another feeder and waterer so they can gain sustenance. Chickens that were already there will naturally be aggresive and dominant.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Did you try to put them in a separate pen within eyesight first? Chickens can't just be thrown together, they need time to acclimate to each other first, at least a few days, if not weeks.

 

[aart]

Integration Basics:

It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.


This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

 

[Sonya.]

I would wait a few days. They need to establish a pecking order. If possible, add another feeder and waterer so they can gain sustenance. Chickens that were already there will naturally be aggresive and dominant.

Today makes 3 days. Any idea how much time I should give?
The decision to put them together was made kind of at the last minute. There was a coon trying to get into the pen with them & I found a whole where it could possibly get in. I didn't have anything to fix it with so I just moved them into the bigger secure pen. Now I'm thinking that wasn't such a great idea

 

[rosemarythyme]

Since it's a safety issue with the coon, you could try making a smaller "pen" inside your secured pen, by using chicken wire or netting and some stakes. If that's not feasible (and we don't want your new chickens eaten by a coon!), then set up multiple food and water stations so the new girls have a shot at getting to eat and drink, and see if there's "stuff" you can add into the run to break up the space so the new girls can get out of line of sight, like pallets leaned against a wall, a crate, tree stump, old chairs, etc.

 

[HenniesInMyHeart]

^x2!