Adding to existing flock

[kayleen]

8 hens and 8 pullets. Every time the hens attacked we separated them. But they have been neighbors for about 12 weeks. There outside run is about 20 ft by 15ft. The coop is 15ft by 6ft. We have kept them together for only about 3 days now but we can't keep them separate any longer.

 

[lazy gardener]

Kayleen: They've had plenty of time to get used to each other. Do you ever let them free range? That's an excellent time to let them mingle where they have plenty of room, and plenty of diversions to keep their minds off of beating each other up. I assume you have plenty of roost space available? Has there been any blood shed when they've been together, or just a lot of chasing and pecking going on? do you have 2 or 3 feeding and watering stations available. That will help, as well as, when you give treats, fling them far and wide so they all get a chance to get some of the goodies. You're going to have to let them duke it out. Unless there's blood shed, stand back and let them work it out. It's more stressful to us owners than it is for the birds. Pecking order... it's what they do! It will also go easier if there's plenty of places for the younger girls to get away from the older girls. Give them some hay bales, some pallets, stuff to hide behind and under. If you have a strong alpha hen, you might need to remove her for a bit, then after the youngsters have integrated, allow her back in. Or, you could take a couple of the lower pecking order hens, and put them in with the pullets. Keep adding hens to pullets until about 1/2 of them are together, then put the whole group together.

 

[SMonroe1990]

yes Diana my coop was already on the property and I took into account the size of the nesting boxes and things before deciding how many more birds to add. Trust me I wish it was just a tad bit bigger so I could add more, but I have DH agreeing to building me a second bigger coop next year hopefully so I can raise more. Thanks for the article I will have to check it out. I'll let everyone know how they do with the integrating.

 

[kayleen]

Lazy Gardner::: we have two larger feeders under the coops (they at raised coops) and two small feeders that are inside the coops. They have their large waterer and I added the small one also so the young ones can have water without having to go down to get it. Things seem a little better today. Its just a lot of feather plucking and pulling. Only a little blood when our black jersey giants get a good hit in on one of the young ones heads. Your right, stresses me out watching the littles run for cover. We have not let the littles free range. Were afraid it will be hard to get them back in. Unfortunately we didn't open enough time with them as we did with the older hens. The older hens get free range every day with supervision.

.

 

[lazy gardener]

Can you let them out for some free range time this weekend when you are around to supervise? That might be just what they need. If they've had a few weeks in their coop/run, they'll be sure to return at the end of the day. When I question my girl's motives re: coming back to the coop, i keep them a bit on the hungry side. It helps to motivate them to chase after those bugs, and also brings them running when it's time for them to go in.