Fact or Fiction?

[gma2tex]

A friend was reading a book and sent me an email about a section in the book. "There were a few paragraphs where the author described how to properly introduce new chickens to a brood. She said you have to introduce the new chickens at night, while the other chickens are sleeping, or else the other chickens will see the newcomer as a threat and attack him/her. But, if the chickens are sleeping, they'll wake up and think the new chicken has always been there. Have you heard anything about that?"

I told her I would put it out to the experts since I'm new to the chicken raising business. So is this fact or fiction?
Thanks!

 

[azelgin]

The only difference I've found between putting them in at night, verses day, is they wait until morning before picking on the newcomer.

 

[TexasVet]

Fact.

I just had someone tell me last week that we stuck a grown chicken into the coop with a flock of nearly-growns before he left for work. When he got home, the grown chicken was still alive, but a young one had been pecked to death. They saw the older hen as an intruder and attacked, but she was bigger and stronger, so she won the fight.

I've never had that happen. I put "new" chickens into an adjoining coop for a week or so, then move them onto the roost with the established flock at night.

And here's another tip... the highest ranking chickens get the highest perch. When introducing new chickens, put them in the lowest available spot.

Kathy, Bellville TX
www.CountryChickens.com, www.PivotalForce.com

 

[TexasVet]

Forgot something! I highly recommend you get a copy of Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens (http://astore.amazon.com/countchick-20). It's inexpensive and will answer questions you don't even know you have!

Kathy, Bellville TX
www.CountryChickens.com, www.PivotalForce.com

 

[Chickenfeet]

I have a small area fenced in, inside of the coop. Everyone goes into the Holding Cell (

) for about 2 weeks before they are released with the existing flock. They can see , hear and smell each other but cannot touch. You will still have pecking order to deal with but not near as bad. Good luck!

 

[JennsPeeps]

I have 10 females, 9 standards & 1 banty. Here's my situation:

3 adult hens who are over a year old (BSL, RIR, banty cochin)
2 "tweens" who are nearly full grown & about 3 1/2 months old (BO, BA)
5 chicks who are just over 2 months old (BR, BA, 2 crested polish, 1 standard cochin)

My girls have been sleeping in the coop together now since about the end of April for the tweens, and the babies got moved into the coop in the end of May. The youngest 7 pullets have always gotten along, despite the age difference. We just put them in the yard together and there were no issues.

That said, we have to keep the adults separated from the younger birds unless we're supervising. The coop is divided in 2 sections so that the girls can all see each other, or even peck through the wire a bit, but the adults can't get at the younger birds. This has been important because the adults have beaten the crap out of the youngsters several times. The poor buff orp has had her behind handed to her at least twice, with broken skin and bloody wounds being the result. One time she even escaped to the neighbors yard - complete with 2 dogs - just to get away from the beating (thank goodness for fast-acting neighbors who have a rabbit hutch).

We're working on integrating the younger birds with the older ones very slowly. They've been near each other now for at least 2 months. They can see each other, they sleep together, and the beatings continue. The younger birds are too young and/or too docile to stand up for themselves. They will, in time.

So no, I'm not a believer in the "wake up & be friends" approach. Death by pecking is not an option in my backyard flock.

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

Fiction in my case.

My girls have always noticed the diference. When, on the rare occassion that I do do this, I have to wake up early to listen outside the coop for any loud peeps or squawks. I typically have to introduce the girls gradually. If it was this easy, I wouldn't have a dog crate full of pullets in my adult's run right now.

 

[Chicks_N_Horses]

It is fact and fiction depending on your flock and the new bird. Some flocks will peck the new one and some will accept. The only way to know is be there at daylight when they all wake up! LOL

 

[animal nut]

Quote:
I agree they just start picking in the morning! And I know this for a fact.

 

[Snap62]

The "pecking order" is a natural occurence and there's nothing we as humans can do to control it.

I know it's hard to watch your chickens get picked on, but as long as it isn't "deadly" pecking, then just try your best to "Let go and let God"