Adding pullets to the flock. Will the battle end?

[Sassyhens1]

We have a small flock of 11 Production Reds. They are about 21 weeks old now. We have had them since they were day old chicks and they are pleasant totally free ranging happy girls. They can be a little bossy at times but have a well established pecking order. Big Cone Bertha and Redneck are the two ladies in charge. They pretty well keep the peace. A little while ago we decided to find a breeder and add English Lavender Orpingtons to our bunch. We bought 4 pullets. Three of which are roughly 14-16 weeks old. The breeder did not have change so we ended up with a 4th hen who is slightly younger; about 12 weeks. After a little research we decided 4 would give the more docile Orps a chance with the bossy PR's. So story goes after quarantine we introduced everyone (pic above). It did not go so well at first. Redneck paced like a lion pecking and squawking. About a week has passed now and things have calmed a bit. We no longer have free range chickens, lol. We built a run for the three Orp's and a smaller for the youngest Orp's (who just today went in with the other 3 and was okay). The PR have a new 50ft x 30ft run. Keeping everyone in eyesight of each other but separate seems the way to go right now. What signs should we look for to know its time to let the flock work things out on their own and not separate them? Also, should they all be roosting together? We put a dog cage in the coop at night right now. Open to advice!!!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It is very difficult to combine a small number of young birds that are a docile breed with a larger number of mature birds that are an aggressive breed. I think that's your main problem.
I would wait till your younger birds are fully grown and even then it will be a problem because of temperament and numbers.
In the interim, I'd take one of the reds and put it in with the orps, then every 5 days or so add another. That will give them a chance to become friends. After you've moved close to half of the reds, swap the flocks and keep adding a red every few days.

 

[Sassyhens1]

That sounds like great advice. I will give it a try. Fingers crossed.

 

[bobbi-j]

No matter how long you keep them separated, I think there will still be some squabbles until your boss hens are sure everyone knows the pecking order. They may be fewer, farther between and less intense, but don't be surprised if it happens.

 

[donrae]

I'm with chickencanoe. I'd boot the Reds back out to free range and put all the Orps in the nice big run. I'd add one Red at a time to the Orps, with several days between adding each bird. Leave the higher ranked birds for last.

 

[aart]

Sounds like you've already got a good handle on it, kudos for what you've done so far!

Try spreading some scratch along separating fence line, best if they can get just their heads thru fence, will help them get used to 'sharing' food.

 

[CrazyTalk]

In the interim, I'd take one of the reds and put it in with the orps, then every 5 days or so add another. That will give them a chance to become friends. After you've moved close to half of the reds, swap the flocks and keep adding a red every few days.

Wanted to echo this advice - you want to give the orps as many advantages as you can here - if there's somewhere you can store the reds for the moment, and start slowly reintroducing them, that would be better than trying to introduce the orps to the flock.

 

[Sassyhens1]

Well the advice is working so far. I sent the reds out to free range and kept the 4 Orp's in the big run with my nicest red. So far so good. Now my next question is what to do in the evening. Right now the Orps jump right in the coop at night with the rest of the flock. However the reds get irritated because the new comers can never get settled in. So what I have been doing is putting the 4 of them in a small dog crate in the coop at night. This seems to settle them down. When should I just let them work it out and be free in there at night? My biggest worry is the youngest of the 4 orps. She just hides in the corner. I know things may be fine as long as I get out there by first light.

 

[aart]

Well the advice is working so far. I sent the reds out to free range and kept the 4 Orp's in the big run with my nicest red. So far so good. Now my next question is what to do in the evening. Right now the Orps jump right in the coop at night with the rest of the flock. However the reds get irritated because the new comers can never get settled in. So what I have been doing is putting the 4 of them in a small dog crate in the coop at night. This seems to settle them down. When should I just let them work it out and be free in there at night? My biggest worry is the youngest of the 4 orps. She just hides in the corner. I know things may be fine as long as I get out there by first light.

Great, maybe throw another red or two in over the course of the day...or tomorrow.

I put in a separate roost for my pullets in a fixed flock the first year...then another temporary one the next year for the newbies......all at about the same level.
Not a bad idea to crate them at night for everyone's comfort for now.

 

[Sassyhens1]

This weekend (after adding the reds to the orps) we decided to put everyone together in the large run. There hasn't been any violent outbreaks, just bullying. The reds pick on them if they get too close and they will not let them eat or drink all together. I have a million water & food stations in there so they can actually eat. Its like there are two different flocks! So now I sit and wonder should we let things settle until the orps at least mature and get their cones? Maybe then they will meld together or do I subtract some reds from the flock? This is a tough decision as they all started laying a couple of weeks ago. Chicken drama.... its like watching Mean Girls the movie right in my back yard.