Incorporating younger hens in with existing flock

[padutchgirl]

for the last 2 weeks I've had by 7 week old hens in the coup with my 12 week old hens and rooster but they have been separated by wire. Today I decided to let them all mingle together and it's been a disaster! I know that pecking will happen, but the rooster and one of the hens is being downright nasty. Again, I know that they have to work it out and that the behavior, even though I think it's mean, is part of their world. So I walked away because I was crying. I went back out (my chickens free range, I have 15 acres...but have a coup for them as well) and the older hens will NOT let the little ones back in the coup. And now, the little ones won't even let me get near them. HELP!!! What do I do???

 

[CannedMonster]

Do you have multiple feeders/water stations?
You should have them in separate areas so lower pecking order birds can't be chased from food and water.

Also add multiple things in the run the younger birds can go behind so they're out of the line of sight of the older birds.

I would separate the roo & hen in a dog crate still within sight of the rest but unable to harass the littles for a day or two.
Then try again.
Integration does cause chaos. I feel you!

 

[padutchgirl]

Thank you so much. I just put a second feed and water station back in there and I have a water station outside of the coup as well. I just went and checked on them and all 13 were in the coup laying down together. Maybe a little progress happened. Fingers crossed.

 

[CannedMonster]

Thank you so much. I just put a second feed and water station back in there and I have a water station outside of the coup as well. I just went and checked on them and all 13 were in the coup laying down together. Maybe a little progress happened. Fingers crossed.

 

[cmom]

Treats

 

[aart]

all 13 were in the coup laying down together

13 total birds in both age groups?
Hoe big is your coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would be good to know and see.

Probably good you walked away, it's hard to watch without intervening.
Sounds like you have a good setup.
Integrating 2 sets of chicks can be harder than integrating chicks with adults.

The 12wo cockerel may soon be seeking dominance and sex, none of the pullets are ready for that, that can be uglier than the pecking order battles at integration.
Might want to have a crate ready to seclude him if it's get bloody.

FYI.....semantics, maybe, but can be important communication terms when discussing chicken behavior.
Female chickens are called pullets until one year of age, then they are called hens.
Male chickens are called cockerels until one year of age, then they are called cocks(or cockbirds or roosters).
Age in weeks or months is always a good thing to note.


Might help:
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.

 

[cmom]

I agree.

 

[llombardo]

I am going to have the same problem. My older ones are about 15 weeks and the younger ones are almost 8 weeks. I attempted to put the smaller ones out there last weekend(they were seperated by heavy netting). The older girls were not nice, one of the younger ones got its head stuck and I had to help. I don't foresee any amount of time making it better. I'm not attempting it again until the younger ones are the same size and I can monitor it the whole time with a hose in my hand.

 

[cmom]

When my males get to be around 3 to 4 months old they go into a bachelor coop and pen. Usually once you separate the males and females things for me seemed to go better. The males pretty much get along with each other as long as there are no females and the same with the females without the males interfering. Once in awhile, the males especially, may pick on one male. I remove the one being picked on and all is good. This is how I deal with it as they will still have to figure out their pecking order. Good luck and have fun...

 

[cmom]

Soon with new chicks hatching right now, I have to start moving birds around as I have to clean out the grow-out coops and I block off the nest boxes. I need to move birds out of the chick coops and get them ready for the chicks. For now the chicks are going in the brooder. When I move birds around they too get confused being in another coop and pen so they re-establish the pecking order somewhat. They all want to be in the same nest boxes.