Chicken Behavior

[jbowen53]

I have three different groups of chickens (and two turkeys) that we own. The first group has grown up and are producing eggs everyday. The second group which included a small, male turkey. This group has started growing up and are teenagers now. When we let them into the area with the older chickens they really got picked on, especially the turkey. They pecked him so badly that I wasn't sure he would pull through. We keep them separate from the older flock. We have another six chicks and we have them in a different container as well. Question: How do you integrate new chickens into the flock? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Audrey Watson]

Slowly but surely is the way to go. Most chickens can be integrated without many problems if you take it step by step. Unfortunately, some chickens will always be picked on. My neighbor has a White Leghorn who doesn't get along with anyone except one chicken, who she's kept with. Hopefully you'll have better luck.
What I'd suggest is to first get a wire cage or some sort of see-through container to put inside the coop. Put the new chickens inside the cage/container so they get a chance to see the older chickens and the older chickens get a chance to see them. Start off by only leaving them inside for a few minutes, and increase the time interval daily until they're inside for extended periods of time without the older chickens paying them any notice. Now, you can begin to introduce them without any barriers. Put them inside with all the older chickens, and watch how they react. Make sure they have plenty of high up areas such as roosting bars so that they can escape if need be. After a few minutes, take them out. Repeat this every day for a week or two until the older chickens start paying them no notice. Then you can leave them in there indefinitely unless things start to get out of hand.
Good luck and have fun!

 

[Stacyoung13]

I put up a screen playpen, (made from leftover screen), in the run and put my babies, (5 weeks old), in there. I left them in there all day everyday for almost 2 weeks, then I took the playpen down. Just make sure you have plenty of places for them to hide behind-under-above the older ones line of sight. Make sure to have multiple food and water stations. Good luck

 

[jbowen53]

Thanks so much to you both and I will try your suggestions.

 

[Audrey Watson]

Thanks so much to you both and I will try your suggestions.

no problem and good luck!