Brought home new hens

[angiew]

I brought home 4 new Rhode Island Reds. I think they are about 3-4 months old and they went into the pen fine but now they wont come out of the shelter part where I keep the nests. I just got them a couple of days ago and I am worried that they are not coming down to eat & drink. Also the one chicken I had is really a bully to the new chickens even though she is less than half their size. They seem afraid of her and take off running. What should I do to ease their stress so they can all just get along?

 

[conference]

You could remove the bully chuck for a couple of hours to give the new ones some time to explore their new home, then if poss put the older chuck in the vicinity of the coop so they can all see each other again for a couple of hours. Then before you allow the older chuck back in, put vinegar onto the feathers of the new ones (I sprinkle onto my hands and them wipe my hands over the feathers - this will deter the older one pecking the new ones as she will not like the taste.

 

[Suburban chick farmer 09]

Leave them be...they'll work it out.

 

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

Quote:
That's what I'd do. The sooner they work it out, the sooner there will be peace. Expect somebody's tail to be plucked. It's part of the deal.

 

[angiew]

Thanks for the advice ....what about the fact that they are not coming out of the nest area (enclosed part of coop) to feed. I am guessing they are smart enough to know when they are hungry but.....

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Have they had time to find the food? I'd take the bully out for a few hours and give them time to explore and find everything. THEN I would put her back in and let them sort the rest of it out. Maybe they don't know where the food is bc she hasn't let them explore yet.

 

[FortWorthChicks]

Quote:
I agree!

 

[M To The Maxx]

How many other hens do you have in with these new birds? Did you quarantine these new birds?