Aggressive 3mo Pullet on 2 new 6wk Pullets

[adkins64]

We have six 3mo old pullets and we had two 3mo old cockerels. One of the cockerels. They were supposed to all be pullets but two of them grew faster and turned out to be cockerels. The dominant cockerel started crowing, and within a couple of days (even though we were looking at rehoming options) a noise complaint was issued and animal control showed up. We no longer have the cockerels and we were able to get two additional 6 week old pullets from our local feed store.

I sectioned off a portion of our 4x8 coop so the pullets have a 2x4 area they are hanging out in separated from the rest of the flock. We have started slowly introducing the 6week to the 3mo and one of the 3mo is very aggressive. All of the 3mo are challenging each other and working on the new pecking order, but 5 of them seem just fine with the little ones. The aggressive one (Amy) will peck aggressively at the 6wk olds. What advice might the group have for overall integration into the older birds for these two? Our gut says to keep them separate for awhile as it's very easy for us to do. We are thinking we will have to segregate Amy when we put them all together. What will help stop Amy from being so aggressive? Amy has also been the most shy pullet of the 3mo olds.

 

[azygous]

Six pullets in a two by four foot space is going to trigger aggression. They need sixty square feet minimum (10 sq ft per). Introducing smaller,younger pullers into their midst will practically guarantee the young ones will be hammered. It's natural for larger youngsters to pick on smaller ones, but not having enough space to evade and seek safety, won't end well for the babies.

Without adequate space, you can segregate Amy and you'll probably see that someone else will simply step into the void and become head bully.

 

[adkins64]

Six pullets in a two by four foot space is going to trigger aggression. They need sixty square feet minimum (10 sq ft per). Introducing smaller,younger pullers into their midst will practically guarantee the young ones will be hammered. It's natural for larger youngsters to pick on smaller ones, but not having enough space to evade and seek safety, won't end well for the babies.

Without adequate space, you can segregate Amy and you'll probably see that someone else will simply step into the void and become head bully.

Thank you for the reply. The total coop floor space is 4'x8'. I have built a barrier inside the coop where there is a 4'x6' portion and a 2'x4' portion. The 3mo pullets have the larger section with the auto door that gets them access to a 4'x8' run and underneath of a 16' trampoline. The run and trampoline are not as secure as the coop as they only have chicken wire. They are locked safely in the coop at night though, so they have a lot of safe area. I'm going to be painting the coop soon, but the photo gives you an idea of how much space they have.

 

[aart]

What will help stop Amy from being so aggressive? Amy has also been the most shy pullet of the 3mo olds.

It's often the low bird in the older flock that is the most aggressive to newcomers.
Trying to reserve their place in the pecking order, or just happy to have an underling to beat upon.

Integration can be a tricky business, more space almost always makes it easier.

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.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[adkins64]

It's often the low bird in the older flock that is the most aggressive to newcomers.
Trying to reserve their place in the pecking order, or just happy to have an underling to beat upon.

Integration can be a tricky business, more space almost always makes it easier.

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.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

Wow! Thank you for such a helpful post! I do believe we have enough space overall, and will make sure as we introduce them they always have a way to get away from each other.