Bullies!!!

[MadisonOde]

Hey all,
I have two new pullets I’m trying to introduce using the see no touch method. I also have another group of two pullets I’m trying to introduce. Then I have an old hen, so 5 birds altogether. At first, the hen started picking at the newest two. After she kept going after them, we separated her, so it was the two new Orpington pullets, and the other two pullets. Then, my Maran pullet started bullying my orpingtons. She kept cutting them off and shouldering them and pecking occasionally. I eventually separated the orpingtons from the rest. What should I do?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Keep at it. Everyone sees everyone else as intruders currently. You need to keep them penned separately with supervised mingling until they start to forget they don't know each other.

What would happen if someone came by and dropped a few random people off at your home? Wouldn't you start to try to make them leave? It's the same for chickens. Your new birds don't currently belong, and no one from these groups know each other. Chickens think in terms of territory, and who belongs and who doesn't. With enough time they start to forget that.

 

[sourland]

Leave them together as long as blood is not being drawn, and allow them to work things out. Make sure that all are getting adequate water and feed. The social order of chickens is generally not kind.

 

[Folly's place]

Make sure there's plenty of space, and areas where they can be out of site from each other, and keep at it. Good food; adequate protein, separate feed and water stations, and introductions while free ranging, if possible.
No actual injuries is good, and things will get better over time.
Mary

 

[aart]

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.