How to introduce new chickens together

[Ulmerfamily]

hello! Thank you for taking the time to read this. I’ve done a lot of reading on how to introduce new chickens to one another safely, and I’ve tried the method of placing their coops beside one another so they can see/hear one another. But our oldest ( our wild caught Hawaiian chicken) still isn’t having it, she wants to be aggressive towards the little ones. “Chirp” is our wild caught, she was maybe a day or two old when we found her running around all alone by our house in Hawaii, so we took her in and raised her. She lived inside until we recently moved to Tennessee. When we got here we got two babies. We got a bantam -Wilma, and a French Maran- Betty.

They seem interested in Chirp, but if they get near her it’s the death look, neck feathers stand up, and she lunges at them. I know there will be a “pecking order” but my little Wilma who’s the Bantam is so small still, and I don’t want her to get hurt. Betty, is about 3/4 chirps size now.

Any ideas what else we can try to get them to be a “flock”?

Thank you so much!

 

[azygous]

Chickens form sub-groups which are determined by being brooded together. This is a life-long bond. They will continue to remain in these "cliques" even after the flock expands with the introduction of new chickens. So you won't usually see an older chicken become buddy-buddy with younger ones.

Typically, an older chicken will be rough on newer, younger chickens, although the aggression is usually more subdued as time goes by.

The best thing to do is have plenty of space and more than one feeder and places for the youngsters to escape from the older bully.

 

[TyKyra Lancaster]

After everyone is in the coop, locked up for the night, we the introduce new chickens about 30 minutes after, to make sure everyone is calm. Once new birds are in the coop we check on them at least twice every 30 minutes. The next morning when they're let out, we make sure we're there to supervise. It'll take adjustment time. We adopted 2 Mottled Cochin Bantams and 2 Buff Brahma Bantams, we've had them a little over a month now. They are the smallest chickens and the last to arrive, so they're at the bottom of the pecking order. Once everyone finds they're place in the pecking order, everything will work out.

 

[snow5164]

I agree with needing more feed and water stations . I just introduced two adult flocks , adding another food and water in the run has made for a smooth transition.

If they are so worked up I’d separate til little ones are bigger .... a day or two of charging and such is normal but not so aggressive.

Good luck

 

[Mrs. K]

Totally off post, but how did you get a chicken from Hawaii to Tennessee?

 

[aart]

Totally off post, but how did you get a chicken from Hawaii to Tennessee?

Was wondering the same.

Also how old are the new birds?
I assume Chirp is fully grown(over a year old)?
Pullets won't work their way into the main pecking order until they begin to lay.