I have questions!

[Anaí Gabriel]

I previously had a very small flock (2) of Dominiques, sadly my neighbors dog got into our yard broke into the coop and killed my oldest so I have one Dominique. I just got 3 RIR hens the man I bought them from didn’t look like he took care of them very much and they seem very afraid of people one of them even had a little bald spot on the butt, their combs and waddles aren’t very bright red either. They just don’t look very healthy over all.
The introduction went horribly and one of them started pecking at my Dom. I’m a little nervous as to if this is normal?? What RIR temperament is typically like? If I should separate them or just how to go about it..
I would appreciate any helpful comments or just advice, I’m very new to this /:

 

[Orpingtons43]

If they have never seen each other they will peck at each other, it is called the pecking order. Don't separate unless it it gets to blood and feather picking, etc. could you post pics of the birds?

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
Production RIRs (the orange ones from hatcheries) do tend to be bullies, and it's three against one right now.
Have you looked very carefully for mites or lice? At night with a flashlight, and treat if any are found. Permethrin is best.
You need them to have plenty of space, at least two feeders, and two waterers, and as much free range time as possible, rather than having them locked in a small coop.
Feeding an all-flock feed with separate oyster shell will be better than a very basic layer feed. Good nutrition pays off!
If there's only one bully, separate her out for a week or three, and then reintroduce her. It could help.
I hope this works out for you.
Mary

 

[A.M. Eggs]

First, welcome to BYC! And second, did you immediately introduce them to your dominique, or did you wait first? If you didn't wait, that might be why they are acting mean towards the dominique. Usually you want to keep them separated at first so then they don't spread diseases to one another.

The RIR's might also have been raised in a way to where they don't like people all that much. I got a RIR from someone and she was not the most friendly of birds. She didn't like people and would run away if you got too close.

I don't know about the bald butt though. She could either be molting or being harassed by one of the other RIRs. The wattles should brighten up as you care for them.

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

Oh dear, the new ones should be quarantined for at least a few weeks, possibly longer if they are sickly.
When introducing new ones, its best to put them in a separate pen where everyone can see each other and "talk" for a week or two, then release and watch. If anyone gets ugly, the new ones go back in for a day or so and try again. This won't keep them from some bickering, pecking order has to be established, but it gives them time to get to know each other and typically lessens the amount of actual fighting.
The new ones may not be sick, but if in poor health, the stress of moving and being put right in with yours, can make them sick, it lowers their ability to fight sickness.
Can you separate them at all? If so, I would consider it. That way you can treat any ailments and feed them well and maybe add some vitamins to their water.
Also, welcome to the family!

 

[Folly's place]

It's way too late for the OP to worry about quarantine, it's about moving forward from here. I NEVER introduce outside birds because of biosecurity concerns, but what's done is done.
We all want it to work out for the best.
Mary

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

It's way too late for the OP to worry about quarantine, it's about moving forward from here. I NEVER introduce outside birds because of biosecurity concerns, but what's done is done.
We all want it to work out for the best.
Mary

I was afraid of that, thought maybe for the sake of the new ones, being in poor condition, separating would give them time to build up.
Just thinking out loud I suppose..

 

[Anaí Gabriel]

Welcome!
Production RIRs (the orange ones from hatcheries) do tend to be bullies, and it's three against one right now.
Have you looked very carefully for mites or lice? At night with a flashlight, and treat if any are found. Permethrin is best.
You need them to have plenty of space, at least two feeders, and two waterers, and as much free range time as possible, rather than having them locked in a small coop.
Feeding an all-flock feed with separate oyster shell will be better than a very basic layer feed. Good nutrition pays off!
If there's only one bully, separate her out for a week or three, and then reintroduce her. It could help.
I hope this works out for you.
Mary

Thank you!!
I did take a look it looks like mites? I’m not too sure to be honest it just looks like white flakes, very small. The skin doesn’t look irritated just dry. The other RIR’s don’t look sickly just maybe malnourished.. I’ll definitely get on that though, my other hens spent a lot of time out of their coop / free range I just wanted to familiarize the new hens with the coop first rather than letting them roam around and then finding some random place and settling there to sleep. I did notice the RIR aren’t roosting to sleep, they just sleep on the hay I have in the upper part of my coop.
What would be a good all flock feed? Right now, I just add a bit of meal worms into their food that way they get a little more protein.
Thank you!
Annie.

 

[Folly's place]

I feed Purina Flock Raiser, 20% protein, and I always check the mill date on the bag. It needs to be within four weeks, and fed within a couple more weeks. It's always fresh here. The feed you get will depend on what's available fresh where you live.
I then have oyster shell in a separate dish for the laying hens.
Your new birds need time to adjust, and may have never had roosts. Who knows?
Mary

 

[aart]

How big is your coop and run, in feet by feet?

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.

This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock