Chicken drama!

[Leov]

Hey guys. 4 chickens raised together. All about 12-13 weeks old. Brought in two new birds. 10-11 weeks old. Amd now we have drama. Seems the first set of girls do NOT Want to let the other two join in. Specifically two of the 4 are pretty bitchy. Tried separating them. Squirting the main trouble maker when she chases the others. I’ve read about chicken peepers. I feeI I need to try them out. Anyone have any other advice or maybe familiar with the peepers? Do they work? I feel I created a monster. We had such a happy little chicken run before this
Thanks,
Leo

 

[Mamatomany123]

You cant just throw more chickens in. You need to do a slow introduction. See but no touch for a while. I added day old babies in with my then 16 week olds. They did see but no touch for about 3 weeks. Now the babies are 4 weeks old, big girls 20 weeks and running with the big girls. Never any pecking but the big girls do squack just loud enough if they need to remind the babies who's in charge.

 

[Leov]

You cant just throw more chickens in. You need to do a slow introduction. See but no touch for a while. I added day old babies in with my then 16 week olds. They did see but no touch for about 3 weeks. Now the babies are 4 weeks old, big girls 20 weeks and running with the big girls. Never any pecking but the big girls do squack just loud enough if they need to remind the babies who's in charge.

I did keep them apart for several days. I guess not long enough.

 

[black_cat]

I did keep them apart for several days. I guess not long enough.

When you kept them apart, could they see each other? I'd say go back to a see but don't touch setup. When you put them together, add alternate food and water sources that are out of sight from each other. Chickens will fight over resources. Rearrange the run and add more clutter-stuff to be on, in, behind, and under. Anything where the smaller ones can get in but the bigger ones can't can be used as a safe haven for the littles.

 

[Mamatomany123]

I did keep them apart for several days. I guess not long enough.

Could they see eachother? I would keep them at a no touch only see for a few weeks.

 

[nao57]

I think you can get it to work if its very chaperoned to prevent problems early on. Start an hour with no touching, AND no aggression moving up close.

Then the next day 2 hours (or 1.5 hours?).

Then just gradually increase it.

Seeing but not being able to interact up close will prevent them from acting on the aggression but still seeing each other.

Putting up signs for 'all chickens matter' or 'black ducks matter' seems to increase it not, and not decrease aggression. Defunding the chicken police also increases the murder rate in Barntown also. A grain shortage in the fall will also increase chicken on chicken incidences.

 

[black_cat]

I think you can get it to work if its very chaperoned to prevent problems early on. Start an hour with no touching, AND no aggression moving up close.

Then the next day 2 hours (or 1.5 hours?).

Then just gradually increase it.

Seeing but not being able to interact up close will prevent them from acting on the aggression but still seeing each other.

Putting up signs for 'all chickens matter' or 'black ducks matter' seems to increase it not, and not decrease aggression. Defunding the chicken police also increases the murder rate in Barntown also. A grain shortage in the fall will also increase chicken on chicken incidences.

Thank you, I'll be sure to keep those last tips in mind when integrating in the future

 

[Lobo123]

Even when using the "see-no-touch" method for introducing new members to a flock, there is still a possibility for there to be chasing and pecking. This method is meant to minimize the conflict between birds, not completely abolish it.

Pecking and chasing are normal. I would only really intervene if my chickens are getting injured. They are figuring out the pecking order, over time your chickens will integrate.

How much space do they have? Space is extremely important. I've also taken the advice of many here who suggest adding clutter to a run. Its a game-changer. I don't know your setup but if you have room, perhaps add some cinderblocks or plywood against the wall. Anything really that'll help your chicken conceal itself in its environment. Multiple water and feeder stations are a good idea too.

 

[aart]

I did keep them apart for several days. I guess not long enough.

Nope, not long enough.

How much space do they have? Space is extremely important.

Indeed it is!
How big is your cop and run @Leov , in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help immensely here.

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/

 

[Leov]

Nope, not long enough.

Indeed it is!
How big is your cop and run @Leov , in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help immensely here.

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/

Coop is built to hold 6 birds. Has a tiny run 3x5. The coop in inside the main run which is 10x12 ft. Love your thoughts. Implemented some already. Definitely did not wait long enough. The new birds have found their niche hangouts and there are several food/water spots. Today was interesting as they actually all hung out in the same area as they free ranged. I let them out everyday and they usually split up
Into two groups. One of the four will share a meal with the other two Occasionally, but today was the first time they were all pretty close without getting chased away.