Integrating new birds to existing flock

[cslosberg]

I'm into several days now, have rearranged the roosts and put in a lower one and it still seems that they are on the floor. I can't be certain what happens in the middle of the night so maybe they are going up and maybe they aren't. They don't seem to be pecked, no signs of injury or blood, run around like crazy during the day. Another thread said to just leave them be and that they'll do it when ready. I'm keeping my fingers crossed...

 

[bobbieschicks]

Quote:
Yeah - I'm of the thought that they'll do it when they're ready b/c I fought my White Leghorns at 4 weeks old - they just would not stay on that roost. I'd move them up there - head inside to bed and find them on the floor of the coop every morning. I finally gave up - it was a pain to have to keep sneeking out after dark and move them. They moved themselves up during the day and hung around on the roost so I knew they could get up there. They finally moved over all by themselves between 8 and 9 weeks old. As long as they feel safe in there they'll eventually find the roost and hang out on it - it's natural for them to be up high. I'm sure it will be fine soon

 

[chickenstricken]

Subscribed. I have 4 new chicks that are about six weeks younger than the rest of my flock of 6. The newest are about four weeks old now and still in the brooder. I'm a little worried about introducing them to the coop when they get older. We have occasionally let them free range together, but have to keep a close eye on them as one of the older ones attacked a little one.

 

[cslosberg]

Update: Last night the newbies were on their new little roost. Tonight when I went to check and lock them up the new roost had fallen to the floor of the coop , but they were all up on the roosts with the older girls! Yay! So it seems as though things have settled down, and the bully isn't bothering them. So they did it on their own time, as others out there said they would.
Thanks to all who responded with their ideas and experiences.

 

[BrattishTaz]

I'm glad they worked it out. It seems chicken "politics" is often more stressful for the people watching than the birds.

I know I lost a lot of sleep before I figured out that they know more about normal chicken behavior than I do.

 

[Kimmlind]

I have the same thing going on here! I recently got 3 beautiful buff orpingtons and introduced them at night right in with my 2 barred rocks, 2 copper morans, and one mericanna rooster. So far it has been 4 weeks, no bloodshed, however they are still intimidated by the dominant bossy hen and the roo. They are on the roost pretty much night and day, altho I know they are eating and drinking because they all look great and in good shape. Any suggestions?? I've thought about just making them go outside in the run and then sitting with everybody for a while to watch out for agressive behavior....Any suggestions??

 

[centrarchid]

RE-arrange roosting options. Move things around in coop that can be moved. If multiple windows, then change which one allow light or block it off for a couple days. Shake up their world.


You have already been through worst part and time will promote bonding of larger group.
You can also pen up the dominant birds in a separate location for a couple days, then re-introduce.

 

[Kimmlind]

Great suggestion! I will give it a try....Thanks so much!

 

[Chicklover2246]

Any suggestions??? I have 9 hens 17+ months old in my existing flock. 2 Australorps, 2 Red Sex Links, 2 Buff Orpingtons, 3 (white) Silkies. I am soon going to add 4 (blue) 12+ week old Silkies however, 2 are Roos :'( they have crowed for a couple wks now. One of the other two stands up to one roo but not the other & the last one is very meek and timid. I was hoping for at least 2 pullets but I'm not positive on the one, do you think she is just standing her ground even tho she chest bumps a same age roo OR maybe a rooster that isn't crowing? I can not keep any roosters so I'm really just using them to merge the 4 littles into my existing flock. If 3 are roos will it be too stressful to just have one newcomer staying with my flock when I get rid of them one by one? Has anyone else had this problem? If two are pullets, I'll feel a little better (maybe). How do I know for sure about the 3rd? Should I just keep the timid pullet in a pen in my garage as a pet OR is that cruel to not be with other chickens even tho they will pick on her? I never thought of this scenario!