Help!! Introducing two new hens

[Xival Knievel]

I am needing a little bit of reassurance and advice on introducing new hens to a current flock. The existing flock consisted of 6 hens and one rooster, all about 6 months old. They have a run that is 100ftx50ft and I am introducing 2 new hens, both 6 months old.

I got them during the day yesterday when it was pretty darn hot outside, and they had been in some pretty small crowded cages in the sun waiting to be sold. I've heard of putting new birds on the roost at night and thought about it but I felt bad about keeping them in a small crate much longer (I know.. think about the big picture) So I put their crate in the run for about a half hour and then let them loose with the flock. They have periods of a few minutes at a time getting peace but it seems like generally if they aren't hiding under the coop or at the far end of the yard to other chickens pick on them and beat them up quite a bit.

Now, too late, I logged on to try to find some info on introducing flock members and I see I probably should have been a bit more patient. What do you think is the best thing for me to do now? Should I just watch them for a few days and let them figure it out? It is kind of painful to watch them get ganged up on and have their feathers yanked out

My poor little chickens. Please help!

 

[Xival Knievel]

Went outside to check on them this morning but I couldn't get a good look as they are just keeping hidden underneath the coop. (It is raised about 6 inches off of the ground). Are they just letting things blow over before moving about or do you think the rest of the flock isn't letting them out?

 

[Xival Knievel]

Bump. Anyone? Please help I'm quite worried!

 

[Lollipop]

Yup, just make sure there is no blood. After a few days most of the aggression will subside......Pop

 

[Judy]

I'm sure Pop is right, but if they aren't able to get to food and water, you may have to do a bit more. Any way you can fix up a temporary pen for them with food and water where they can see each other, for a while?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-adding-to-your-flock

 

[Shelanie]

I usually put them in a metal dog play yard in the coop and cover it with a sheet and clothes pin it to the play yard. Then they see each other and get used to each other without doing much damage. Then about 4-5 days later I let them out and its usually pretty non-eventful. This way they have their own food and water and you don't risk loosing them.

 

[Preservation Acres]

Shelanie, that's a great idea.

I just introduced a new Australorp hen (Mel, short for Melbourne) to my flock, and all hell broke loose. She's very docile and doesn't stand up for herself at all, so she's fair game. The one real problem hen was the one at the bottom of the pecking order. She finally started feeling tough.

After 2 days, everything seems fine. The flock leader accepted her first which was a good thing. I had to force Mel to get out of the coop and spend time with the other hens so there could be exposure, but after 2 days of fighting, all's well.

If you can't set up something like the dog pen, then I agree with the idea that if there's no blood, just wait it out. Exposure has to happen.

 

[Xival Knievel]

Thanks so much. I love the dog pen idea. I will have to see if we have something like that. Thanks!