Are these hens being friendly or are they waiting for an opportunity?

[scarter]

We have three different groups and are about to add a fourth to our flock. They definately stay within their own group by time of hatch at our house but they get along. When you go into the coop at night to close up they are all on separate roosts according to group.

My original 5 girls are definately interested in the babies. I figured it was more about getting to their food than the chicks. Now four of them are in the coop and we're about to let them loose. There seems to be no squabling. I'm guessing they worked it out already. We let them all out together for a little while this weekend to observe and it seems all is ok within the flock. We're talking two months though that they've seen each other through the fencing.

Give them plenty of time to get used to each other is my experience.

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

DottieMarie - i'm not sure i agree with the comment that blended flocks never get along. i've had rare experiences when meshing groups does not work well. It's generally that one chicken will be very aggressive, or one is too timid and can't handle the pecking order. On those occasions, i will switch one of them to another coop or rehome one. But i've merged many groups and they almost always do end up blending. True, you will have some chickens that stick close to their original group. But i've seen new friendships and alliances built, also. i say just be patient and give them lots of time to get used to each other.

 

[cmom]

I know the birds have to establish their pecking order. I had two hens that were really aggressive. They would jump on the pullets and peck the heck out of them. I thought they might kill them so I removed the two aggressive hens and put them in jail for awhile. Jail pretty much cured one hen but the other was still a bully. I put her in jail for a few more days. When she came out I thought she had tamed down until I caught her on and wailing away at a pullet. I had a hose handy and gave her a good blast of water. It surprised her so because she was so intent on the pullet. She ran into the coop and didn't come out for awhile. I caught her a few more times after that and surprised her with more squirts with the hose. She finally calmed down. Maybe she was tired of being squirted. The other hens and pullets were fine with the younger ones and would give them a quick peck or quick chase once in awhile but not like my bully.

 

[DottieMarie]

That's what I was hoping to hear but since I've never done this, I was starting to think that more birds could have been a mistake. Our run is very large and only one rung on the roost actually gets used so I'm hoping everyone can work it out. I'll keep the newbies in the dog crate for a couple more weeks then will cross my fingers and hope for the best. The only bullying I ever see within the group is the hens not letting the roosters get to any treats we give them.
Thanks for these latest comments, you've restored my hope!!