Integrating Leghorn with Whiting True Blue hens

[Backyardchickengirl]

I have 3 laying Leghorns and 2 Whiting True Blues. I would like to have all 5 laying hens together.
The Leghorn hens are very aggressive. The Whiting's are cool and sweet. Does anyone have experience integrating the 2 breeds?

 

[Mrs. K]

In small set ups, it can be very difficult to get this to go, regardless the breeds. Have you looked up pin-less peepers? Often times they just allow the birds to get used to each other. I have heard of very good results with them.

 

[Backyardchickengirl]

I have 3 laying Leghorns and 2 Whiting True Blues. I would like to have all 5 laying hens together.
The Leghorn hens are very aggressive. The Whiting's are cool and sweet. Does anyone have experience integrating the 2 breeds?

In small set ups, it can be very difficult to get this to go, regardless the breeds. Have you looked up pin-less peepers? Often times they just allow the birds to get used to each other. I have heard of very good results with them.

Can you send a link.

 

[Mrs. K]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HO0Y3MY/?tag=backy-20
They do not hurt the bird, they just block the forward vision needed to chase and peck another bird. In the chicken world, if you can't see them, they are not a problem. People leave them on for a couple of weeks, and then usually they can come off.

They come with a tool to attach them. If you google it, there are a couple of video's on you tube.

 

[Mrs. K]

Hope that helps. Small set ups can be tricky.

 

[Backyardchickengirl]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HO0Y3MY/?tag=backy-20
They do not hurt the bird, they just block the forward vision needed to chase and peck another bird. In the chicken world, if you can't see them, they are not a problem. People leave them on for a couple of weeks, and then usually they can come off.

They come with a tool to attach them. If you google it, there are a couple of video's on you tube.

 

[Backyardchickengirl]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HO0Y3MY/?tag=backy-20
They do not hurt the bird, they just block the forward vision needed to chase and peck another bird. In the chicken world, if you can't see them, they are not a problem. People leave them on for a couple of weeks, and then usually they can come off.

They come with a tool to attach them. If you google it, there are a couple of video's on you tube.

GENIUS! MRS K.. You have solved my problem!!

 

[aart]

I have 3 laying Leghorns and 2 Whiting True Blues. I would like to have all 5 laying hens together.
The Leghorn hens are very aggressive. The Whiting's are cool and sweet. Does anyone have experience integrating the 2 breeds?

Integration can be tricky.
Doesn't have so much to do with breeds but mostly with territory, resources, and also age/maturity.

Blinders are a last resort, IMO.

How old are these birds and when did you add the WTB?
How big is your coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help immensely here.

Here 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/

 

[Mrs. K]

I don't see the pin less peepers as a last resort AArt. They really can help people with less than ideal ways of adding birds in smaller set ups.

 

[aart]

Blinders are a last resort, IMO.

I don't see the pin less peepers as a last resort AArt.

Right.....but aren't you the one who always says that a too small coop can still cause problems even with a huge run?

They really can help people with less than ideal ways of adding birds in smaller set ups.

Would be good to know what kind of coop/run @Backyardchickengirl has first, might be other issues there that blinders won't fix.