Chickens Not Getting Along

[SuperStephVette]

I have 6 chickens, (5 hens, and 1 rooster- Different breeds) that have been together since the day I brought them from Tractor Supply. They get along great. I bought 4 more chickens at different times and have those 4 chickens seperate but now I want to try and get them all in one chicken coop. I have tried putting them in with the other 6, but all they seem to do is peck the 4, and the rooster even grabs the neck of one of them, and pulls her around. It gets bad where the 4 hide behind me, as I stand there. It breaks my heart watching theseickens get pecked at and screaming. How do I introduce them to the rest of them without getting them killed, or is this normal behavior?

 

[jess924]

What process did u use to intro them? What steps did u take to begin safely integrating ur two groups?

 

[SuperStephVette]

I began by holding the chicken and letting the others visit them, and then after a few moments of that I place them on the ground to wonder around. I have also put them outside the caged area, and they try pecking them through that cage also. Its mostly my bantams that are attacking these "newbies".

 

[aart]

How old are your hens and rooster?
How old are the new birds?
How big is your coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help immensely.


Integration takes time....and an understanding of the chicken social order.

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.

More info here:
This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

 

[Trux]

 

[jess924]

Hahahaa aart I went searching for ur posting and then came back to see u already posted it here! Seems like words of wisdom and should help a great deal for the question voiced