Aggressive hen preventing integration - advice welcome!

[SBChickenLady]

My original flock of hens is down to 2 older girls. I am currently trying to integrate 3 new pullets. I've never integrated before. Newbies have been outside in a parallel run/coop set-up alongside my older flock, look don't touch, since they were about 5 weeks old. They are now 10 weeks old. My older Buff Orpington is very sweet with the new ones, and I've been able to let them free range with her (supervised so far), she is gentle and curious. My Ameraucana, who is usually the most docile and traditionally lowest in the pecking order, is actually showing quite a bit of aggression towards the little ones. I've tried to see if they can all be out at the same time twice so far, and she immediately goes into attack mode, which is very uncharacteristic of her. Any advice here is very welcomed!

 

[rosemarythyme]

It's normally the low bird in the pecking order that causes trouble. You didn't mention how bad the attacks are - some bullying is expected and not a problem. You only don't want blood to be drawn or younger birds to be prevented from eating. Is there clutter in your general free range area to give the new birds hiding spots?

 

[SBChickenLady]

Thanks so much for replying! The attacks have been very abrupt and brief as I have been there to separate immediately. She basically rushes them and pins them to the ground at the neck immediately, she’s gotten a couple small feathers. No blood or any major injury since I take her off right away, but if I didn’t I fear there would be. The little ones just lay there and submit. They don’t try to run as she comes out of nowhere. Love the idea of hiding places, there is certainly a ton of space and various sections of the yard for them to explore, but I will make more specific safe zones. I only fear they won’t run in time, and they don’t try to fight back or get away or anything it seems. The young ones are getting bigger, but still not full grown. Curious if size will help level the playing field eventually?

 

[rosemarythyme]

If the chicks are given the opportunity to explore them, they should use the hiding spots. I've never had chicks not take advantage of them. I integrate very early, with full time coop/run access at about 2 weeks old, and even at that tender age they learn to avoid or run from certain hens very quickly.

Clutter thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/page-6#post-25037140

It's not size that "levels the playing field." It's hormones. Right now their behavior and possibly other signals (not sure how chickens know, they just do) tell the adult birds that "these aren't like you" so they get excluded. You don't need them to be friends or flockmates just yet. They just need to be able to coexist for the time being.

 

[aart]

Here's some tips about....
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/

 

[TropicalChickies]

If the chicks are given the opportunity to explore them, they should use the hiding spots. I've never had chicks not take advantage of them. I integrate very early, with full time coop/run access at about 2 weeks old, and even at that tender age they learn to avoid or run from certain hens very quickly.

Clutter thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/page-6#post-25037140

It's not size that "levels the playing field." It's hormones. Right now their behavior and possibly other signals (not sure how chickens know, they just do) tell the adult birds that "these aren't like you" so they get excluded. You don't need them to be friends or flockmates just yet. They just need to be able to coexist for the time being.

Agree with @rosemarythyme here. I've integrated new pullets in without much drama a few times, but it's when they start to come into lay that they get a little more space and respect from the older ones.