Chicken Jail

[moocowsuk]

Hey everyone. I bought 2 girls about 2 weeks ago from a place down the road from me ( photo of naughty girls ) and they settled well and today me the wife went back to the same place and brought another three. There only brought two weeks apart but from a different flock. I introduced them together and then ww3 stated. The 2 older ones just went mentle and started attacking the new ones and one got a real bashing and has gone in to hiding. I understand there’s a pecking order just like all animals have a order. Theses enough room for them all and got plenty of food and water and treats but that dident seem to stop them. The wife has started to spray them with water when they stated but no they still carried on. So the two older ones have been separated now. How long will I need to put them in jail ? And is there anything else that we can do ?

 

[All4Eggz]

Separate until they are all about the same size. They try to introduce them back by putting food so they can all eat together. A few pecks here and there are fine. But when you separate them, make sure they can see each other all the time so they can get used to the presence of the smaller ones.
Good luck

 

[moocowsuk]

Separate until they are all about the same size. They try to introduce them back by putting food so they can all eat together. A few pecks here and there are fine. But when you separate them, make sure they can see each other all the time so they can get used to the presence of the smaller ones.
Good luck

 

[red horse ranch]

The conflicts shouldn't last more than a couple of days. They do need to be separated at first but they need to see each other and realize that the new ones belong there too. Try letting the jailbirds out after the first night and watch to see if they accept the new ones.

 

[moocowsuk]

They are separated in a hutch for now by the side of them with all the food etc. I was going to totally separate the 2 totally but the white one wasn’t having any of it and was constantly calling out for the other one so had to put them together. I will give the the couple of nights in there and try again. Thanks peps for the advice

 

[neo71665]

When bringing new birds to any existing flock use the look no touch method.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Clutter up the run and have at least 2 feed sources, if not more, as food is a main cause in fighting.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

Since they've already seen each other you don't want to fully separate out either group, but you may want to separate them for a week or two in full view of one another, to acclimate them better before attempting to put them together again.

 

[aart]

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/

 

[neo71665]

Remember, something in a run doesn't count as removing space if the bird can use it to get up on or like a table or chair add more spaces a chicken can use.

 

[Mrs. K]

You might split the two bullies, often times when there is two or more, they rather excite themselves to a crazy level. So when you go to add them back, add them one at a time.