How much pecking is too much? Flock re-integration questions.

[EmmaDonovan]

We are going to attempt an integration in a few weeks of a flock of 4 with a flock of 5. They grew up together but were separated due to conflict and bullying. They are all 21 months old.

Right now the 4 and 5 are getting accustomed to each other again across 1/2" hardware cloth on neutral ground for a few hours each day.

The integration will take place in a new run of ~175 sq ft that none of them has been in before. All new gear, toys, clutter, etc. Multiple food/water/treat stations. Plenty of line-of-sight breaks.

We have twelve hens and have removed the three biggest bullies who live in their own pen and will not be part of this re-integration. I think the remaining nine have the best chance of getting along together. We'll deal with the three bullies at a later date.

I know it will take time for the nine to sort themselves out as a newly-combined group.

Questions:

1) What behaviors should we look for that indicate they aren't sufficiently getting along? A peck or a glare and the lower-ranking hen moves away and that's okay and normal. What is too much?

2) How much time do we give them to work things out before deciding they are not working things out and we have to separate them again?

3) The run is new but the coop is not. The flock of 5 use the coop now. The coop will be thoroughly cleaned and redesigned on the first day they're out together. It will have 18' of roost space, plenty of room to sleep on the floor in the pine shavings (some of our hens prefer that), and two water stations. It has a pop door. Will the flock of 5 retain a sense of ownership over the redesigned coop? Any tips for getting them to share the roost space with the new 4? The roosts are spread out so no one has to be near anyone they don't want to be and the water stations are separated so no one can resource-guard. We have a Cozy Coop heating panel but it hasn't been turned on yet; it rarely gets down to freezing here at night. If we turn on the panel, will that just create conflict as hens battle to lean against it?

 

[Mrs. K]

Really, I would expect this to go pretty well, you have almost equal numbers, you have similar ages, you have the clutter...

Post pictures of your set up.

What I would expect is bluster, chest bumping, a few feathers in the air, and it to be over. A good rule of thumb is if there is no blood, let them carry on.

Instead of people managing it, and trying to do it slowly, for a couple of hours a day, it is better if the chickens can do it themselves. For that to happen, you need places where birds can get out of sight, disappear for a few moments. Often times, I have seen one get a peck, run behind something, come back and eat right next to the pecker. She bowed to the queen by running away, and that solved the issue.

Mrs K

 

[Fluster Cluck Acres]

1) What behaviors should we look for that indicate they aren't sufficiently getting along? A peck or a glare and the lower-ranking hen moves away and that's okay and normal. What is too much?

It sounds like you have adequate space and a suitable setup for this process. I agree, it’ll probably be quick and fairly smooth.

What I watch out for is if birds are hiding or having overly fearful reactions to the presence of the other birds. That can be a sign that things aren’t going well. But I really wouldn’t anticipate that given the age of your birds.

2) How much time do we give them to work things out before deciding they are not working things out and we have to separate them again?

I dont think you’ll have an issue, but there isn’t really a time limit as long as no one is hurt or kept away from resources. They may always remain in their groups and you could have 2 sub flocks within your coop, but that’s perfectly normal. And again, at their age, I wouldn’t expect much trouble.

 

[EmmaDonovan]

Post pictures of your set up.

We live in a high-crime area and my housemate (the homeowner) is understandably not thrilled about me posting property photos online, so here is a quick drawing of the layout in MS Paint. I hope that's okay. I'm not an artist but it gives you the general idea.

The clutter consists of stumps, branches, cinderblocks, bricks, boards with strips of fabric hanging down from them (they're meant to mimic the swaying leaves and branches of jungle plants), perches, ladders, interactive treat dispensers, a swing, a xylophone, and a hanging rope basket that can hold a head of cabbage or other large veggies.

It's built from welded wire fencing. The perimeter also has a 2'-4' reed fence attached to that, to give them some privacy yet enable them to see outside.