Help! Trouble introducing new hens!

[kschuetz21]

I have 3 white leghorns, 1 black sex link and 1 freedom ranger that are about 11-12 weeks old...I have gotten 3 barred rock hens that are maybe a week or two younger...When they are free-ranging, the birds stay separate and have no issues. Sometimes in the coop they get along and lay on separate sides of the coop. In the mornings however, the "old flock" is ruthless to the newcomers! They chase them all over and peck at them. At night, the freedom ranger blocks the coop door and sits there for a little while and then eventually the new BR girls get into the coop to sleep and are fine. Is there anything I can do to get them to accept the new girls? They have been together from Sunday afternoon...

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! With integrating the new chickens, a long period of seeing but no touching through wire seem to work best, ie dividing the coop into two sections or keeping the new/younger ones in a cage inside the coup for a couple of weeks to a month at least. The chickens will get to know each other and sort of work out a pecking order before actually coming in contact with each other. Letting them free range together is a good idea and should help... It will take a couple of weeks to get the pecking order sorted out. There is a nice article in the Learning Center on integrating flocks you might like to check out, the part about actually combining them is after the quarantine section https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

 

[kschuetz21]

I have had them together for a week now. The "original" flock is keeping the three new ones away from the food and water. At night they have no issue laying together in the coop...it seems to just be during the day.

 

[happyhens1972]

I have had them together for a week now. The "original" flock is keeping the three new ones away from the food and water. At night they have no issue laying together in the coop...it seems to just be during the day.

Do you have more than one/several feeding/watering stations? It's unlikely the original flock will keep the 'newbies' away from food and water if there are several options to choose from.

 

[kschuetz21]

Do you have more than one/several feeding/watering stations? It's unlikely the original flock will keep the 'newbies' away from food and water if there are several options to choose from.

Today I got a second water/food container. Hopefully this helps! The girls chase them around/away from anything interesting. I am hoping this wont last too much longer...

Thank you!

 

[RonP]

Copied from another query-

I have the same situation happen every year when I add 2 or 3 pullets.

Almost to the day, it takes 3 weeks before the young ones are allowed out.

I keep food and water in the coop and in the run.

Best if the roosts are in separate areas of the coop also.
I set up a temporary roost for just this reason, and keep it for 6 months.
By then the pecking order is well established.

It's a chicken thing...

 

[kschuetz21]

Thank you so much!! I was worried they were never going to get along.

 

[sandesnow]

Have to agree. We added new pullets this year to our existing 2 hen flock. It took 3 weeks nearly exactly, for them to get their politics in order. To say the least, pecking order - re-order is brutal. The first week was the worst as they were basically keeping them (the new ones) away from the food and water. So had to add food and water to the area where they new ones were 'huddled' away from the other two hens.

I wanted to separate them, but knew that if I interfered it would only make things worse. And true enough, at the end of week 3, it was like they were old friends. Now they all hang out.

 

[bendavbar999]

Only let the new ones out one mourning for 10mins or so, they'll know then not to pick on them. If it continues lock them in longer.

 

[kschuetz21]

Have to agree. We added new pullets this year to our existing 2 hen flock. It took 3 weeks nearly exactly, for them to get their politics in order. To say the least, pecking order - re-order is brutal. The first week was the worst as they were basically keeping them (the new ones) away from the food and water. So had to add food and water to the area where they new ones were 'huddled' away from the other two hens.

I wanted to separate them, but knew that if I interfered it would only make things worse. And true enough, at the end of week 3, it was like they were old friends. Now they all hang out.

Ok, thanks so much! I feel better knowing that I don't just have mean hens

Only let the new ones out one mourning for 10mins or so, they'll know then not to pick on them. If it continues lock them in longer.

Sounds good, I appreciate the advice!