HenreyTheRooster

Hatching
Aug 22, 2020
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Hello I am here to ask for help/ tips introducing a one year old Jersey Black Giant who lost her flock too a group of sixteenish week old chicken that include, one Candy Corn Polish, One Cream White Legbar, and one Barnevelder. They currently live in two coops next to eachother but I dont want the one year old to be lonley since she lost her flock. The coop I am trying to get her into has a run with the dimensions of six feet by twelve feet with a dust bath area, the coop its self is 4x6x4 with three nesting boxes and plenty of perches. Some materials I have for the process are a dog crate, some chicken blindersand rooster booster anti peck. Just a heads up the jersey black giant already doesn't like the little ones, she pecks at them if she gets close to the others or vice versa. I really need help.
 
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A slow introduction is best. She is a newcomer into their pecking order, but she is older. Is there some way you could put her run and the other chickens' run side by side, as close as possible? Let them get used to each other for a few days, then let them all in a run together for a few minutes. Do this everyday, slowly increasing the time, until they get used to each other.
 
They currently live in two coops next to eachother but I dont want the one year old to be lonley since she lost her flock.
If the coops and runs are right next to each other, the single bird is not lonely.
Got pics of your setup?

Oh, and....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/
 
If the coops and runs are right next to each other, the single bird is not lonely.
Got pics of your setup?

Oh, and....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/
Thanks and the chicken are starting to get along. If there are further problems I will try these out
 

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