How do I stop the fighting

[Chriskits]

Hey y’all I just introduced my two flicks to each other in a plan to mix them, as soon as I did though my Rhode Island red jumped on top of my americana and pulled some feathers, they have been doing this on and off for the last couple of hours. I purposely didn’t remove either of them from the rest. If you can either give me info or tips to stop it that would be perfection

 

[bobbi-j]

If they're not drawing blood, or one isn't pinning the other one to the ground, I'd let them work it out. Chicken society isn't pretty.

 

[SBFChickenGirl]

If they're not drawing blood, or one isn't pinning the other one to the ground, I'd let them work it out. Chicken society isn't pretty.

X2

 

[rosemarythyme]

What does your set up look like, both coop and run? How many birds and how much space? How long have the birds seen each other before you let them have contact?

 

[aart]

What does your set up look like, both coop and run? How many birds and how much space? How long have the birds seen each other before you let them have contact?

Yes, all these^^^ questions...and also, how old are birds @Chriskits ?


Here's some tips about......
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.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[Chriskits]

2 coops 7 hens it’s probably a 6’6 x12’6 coop I’ve let them walk around each other while they were walking in my field. They didn’t seem to fight until I moved them into this larger enclosure. Today is day 2 and fighting has slowed but now the flock seems to try and stay away from my Americanas. Which was the hens I introduced to the flock. Any ideas to stop this segregation would be grand, thank you

 

[MarkJr]

2 coops 7 hens it’s probably a 6’6 x12’6 coop I’ve let them walk around each other while they were walking in my field. They didn’t seem to fight until I moved them into this larger enclosure. Today is day 2 and fighting has slowed but now the flock seems to try and stay away from my Americanas. Which was the hens I introduced to the flock. Any ideas to stop this segregation would be grand, thank you

Unless they’re damaging each other.... it’ll work itself out.

 

[Chriskits]

Okay thought so I just really didn’t want of my hens to get hurt if they didn’t need to. Thank you for the speedy response

 

[Folly's place]

It's normal for the two groups to not join together right away, it may take months for them to be totally one flock. That's fine, as long as there are two or more feeders and waterers, preferably out of sight of each other, and space. If injuries occur, that's not fine at all.
Hatchery RIRs tend to be bossy, sometimes too bossy, but generally things do work out.
Mary

 

[Chriskits]

It's normal for the two groups to not join together right away, it may take months for them to be totally one flock.
Hatchery RIRs tend to be bossy, sometimes too bossy, but generally things do work out

Okay thank you so much for the great info there is multiple feeders and waterers so hopefully things will work out soon.