Integrating a new flock

[FatTurtleSip]

I raised a flock of 4 hens about a year ago mostly free range as chicks up until they started laying. Once they started laying we were forced to keep them enclosed for majority of the time. I decided to get a new flock of 5 hens and we've had them for about 4-5 months and they just started laying, but with this flock I raised them in a coop up until adulthood. We are now trying to integrate the new flock to the old but the old flock will not stop bullying the new flock. I'm not sure what I can do, we've tried putting one of the old flock members in with the new flock but the older hen continues to bully the younger hens even though it's 5 on 1. I'm at a loss for what to do and don't want to have to get rid of one of my flocks, Please help!

 

[Dayrel]

Welcome by BYC!

Good timing on this question. One of the Featured Articles is on this exact topic: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-chickens-the-dos-and-donts.73221/

If you do a search (restricted to articles) for "integration", you will find other articles with other peoples recommendations.

Good luck. It is very possible to get them together, but takes some knowledge and work.

 

[Toddgordon]

We raised 3 chicks, one fell in our pool and died so we attempted to place an older Golden Comet in with the remaining 2 Wydonettes. The 2 picked on her so we bought another Golden and those 2 paired up but picked on the Wydonettes. They eventually leveled out. As long as no blood is happening let them reestablish a pecking order and all will be fine.

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC @FatTurtleSip !

Integration can be tricky, helps to have lots of space.
Knowing what your coop and runs is like(dimensions and pics) would help garner more suggestions.

The article linked above is bare minimum, try doing a search for more and better info.

Here's some notes I've taken on integration that I found to be very helpful.......
......take what applies or might help and ignore the rest.
See if any of them, or the links provided at the bottom, might offer some tips that will assist you in your situation:

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

 

[MollySunshine]

Welcome to BYC @FatTurtleSip !

Integration can be tricky, helps to have lots of space.
Knowing what your coop and runs is like(dimensions and pics) would help garner more suggestions.

The article linked above is bare minimum, try doing a search for more and better info.

Here's some notes I've taken on integration that I found to be very helpful.......
......take what applies or might help and ignore the rest.
See if any of them, or the links provided at the bottom, might offer some tips that will assist you in your situation:

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

Thanks for the links. They are good reminders. I am currently working through a very difficult integration. Maybe I will give second thoughts about changing the group to integrate with and continue the fight. I thought it would be easy since the hen that is giving me difficulty with is so docile. I was afraid the littles would be too much for her.