Does anyone have tips for integrating new birds into the flock?

[SomeChickinTN]

See but don't touch hasn't worked well for me either. I did that until the hens stopped relentlessly hunting the pullets, then I gave the pullets their own perches, and every night made sure everyone was perched. After a few days, some of the hens perched with them on their own. I also put a wide board in the coop that the pullets could hide behind if they needed to.

But now, the hens won't even let the pullets in the run, even if I put treats on the other side. Two of them almost seem to guard the ramp door, and when the pullets try to come out, I swear they herd them to each other. Chickens are exhausting.

 

[aart]

Whatever your separation method (dog crate, wire fence) put both food and water stations next to each other - one on each side of the barrier. That will get them used to eating together.

This is an excellent idea!

We’ve tried see but don’t touch, yet it hasn’t been working. The two bigger ones just turned one, and our pullet is 5mths today.

Adding a single bird is the most difficult integration.

This might help:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock.71997/

As might these tips and links:
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.

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

Oh, and, Welcome to BYC!
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[Mrs. K]

Two to one is tough, but try changing it around. First lock the two originals where you have the newbie. Let the newbie explore the coop, feed stations, water without being chased, letting her roost in the coop, leaving the pair where the newbie was. Leave them in this set up situation for a week. You want the newbie to start feeling like she lives in the coop, and is not the stranger. You want the oldies to see that the new bird can be in their set up and they still get fed.

Then add just one of the old girls. Now there still will be some fighting, but it will be one on one, the newbie will have gotten established in the coop/run and will stand up for herself more. After a week, where those two are no longer fighting, add back the third bird, which has been in the see but not touch set up.

In very small flocks, there is no doubt who does not belong either to the flock or the set up. By letting the new girl be in the set up, she starts to lay claims. Right now, it is strange to her, and that makes her timid and at a disadvantage.

Hide outs, multiple feed stations, waters, roosts, platforms, mini walls are all very important. All of your birds should be able to get out of sight of each other. Many runs are just bare open rectangles, in which a bird can be seen from any other position in the run.
Clutter prevents that.

Mrs K

 

[Wyorp Rock]

We have a pullet named Cheese- yes, we named our bird Cheese. We had to find homes for the rest of our five-bird hatch, and we need to integrate Cheese with our current 2-bird flock, Wendy and Gertrude. Does anyone have any advice for how to do this?

We’ve tried see but don’t touch, yet it hasn’t been working. The two bigger ones just turned one, and our pullet is 5mths today.

We’ve been trying for weeks. She’s a sweet, friendly bird, yet my bigger birds are constantly shooing her off the food and water, and we are afraid she’ll starve.

Can you post some photos of your coop/run? How much space do you have?
I do like the suggestions for adding another feed station or 2, an extra water station as well.

Integration can be a challenge. Patience I like the idea of locking up the older ones and letting the youngster explore without being harassed. I've done that too, but this does require you to be able to move birds and monitor activity. If you work outside the home, that may not be doable.
If one older bird is more accepting, then let her roam with the youngster for a few hours. I rotate mine in/out and around a lot of times. I may let 1-2 older birds in with the youngsters for a couple of hours, then give everyone a break. Again, it all depends on space, your set-up.

It's normal for older birds to keep a younger one away from feed. It doesn't sound like she is being attacked (which is good!) just being schooled in the pecking order. This does cause stress and tension though. Check your youngsters crop at night to make sure she has been eating. Give them some time, once she gets older and begins to lay, things will usually settle down.

 

[CoopintheWoods]

If you are confident in your chicken-herding abilities, you could try letting them free-range together, as long as you can keep the new hen from running away. I did this when I had to integrate a single hen, and it keeps the other hens from feeling like the newcomer is invading their turf. Then, they may be more accepting when she moves into the coop.
Good luck!