Coops Open or Closed During Intros?

[SeaSea47]

I have two coops. One currently houses four chickens and the other houses one. I'm working on getting the single one integrated into the bigger flock and starting with letting them have free time together today. So far, so good...my head hen attacked the single gal a couple of times and she still chases her (the single one is smaller and faster), but the others ignore her, and there have been no major issues.

But I do have both coops closed, because I was afraid they might try to corner her in one and kill her. I don't think that's going to happen now, so is it okay to open them back up? I've got a couple of hens wanting to lay eggs, and one's now walking around sulking because she can't get to her nest to do so.

 

[Poultrybreeder]

I would say at this point, it is probably safe to open the coops again, make sure to how the hens react though

 

[aart]

If they need to lay they need access to the nests...open em up!
Can you keep an eye on things?

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.