integrating new hens to my flock... not going well

[timierinrn]

Hello everyone,

I have been trying to introduce 3 new hens to my current 3 for almost two weeks now and it isn't going as well as I had hoped. The 3 old girls chase the new girls and won't let them near the food, even though I have set out a separate waterer and feeder. The main culprit is pearl, my golden sex-link. She was the original dominant hen of the first 3 and even though the new chickens don't seem to be challenging her for the top spot she just will not give in and be nice.

I have heard that putting them on the roost at night will help, but I am afraid to do that because pearl is such a bully! The new girls came to me from a hatchery and so they had already been pecked at a bit on their back ends and it doesn't appear that they have had any new missing feathers or major wounds, but I am scared. The other two older birds don't seem to mind the new girls as much as pearl, but chase them following pearl's lead.

I don't know what I should do. should I get rid of the 3 new girls and just be happy with my original flock of 3 hens, or keep riding it out? should I try and isolate the bully girl and see if that helps? They have all been so loud since all this started and I just want them to get back to being peaceful free rangers.

I really appreciate any advice, this is my first time owning chickens

Timi

 

[mnferalkitty]

Ride it out it will take some time that is what the whole pecking order is about, I don't intervene unless there is a major blood bath, if you keep intervening then no one will learn their pecking order and it will start all over again. I know you said you added another feeder etc. I would even add another one for right now or even throw some food on the ground so it is scattered. Give some extra hiding spots just some cardboard boxes will do. There will probably be some fighting and bullying but thats ok. Also watch from somewhere the chickens can't see you.

 

[timierinrn]

I have been keeping the dog crate that i picked up the new girls in out in the run and they go into it at night to sleep and hide in there during the day. Is that good or should i have them sleep somewhere else?

 

[timierinrn]

SUCCESS!!!!!!! I went out to close up the girls for the night and all 6 of them were piled into one nesting box!!!

 

[grayfish]

congrats! i'm adding 2 girls to my 4 today for a total of 6!
im really excited but nervous. While i'm at work today they're in adjacent runs.
how many days did it take?

 

[ldinola]

Awesome! How long did the ordeal take? I put 2 Easter Eggers in with my 3 RI Reds the other night while they were roosting. Everything was cool until the sun came up. My 3 Reds are ruthless. I feel so bad for the new Easter Eggers, but I guess i'll ride it out. Not a cool part of owning chickens, but I guess it's natural. Did you use any pine tar or anything on the new girls heads once they were pecked? One of my girls has no feathers left on her neck and it is all red from pecking. Both Eggers hide during the day. Is this waht happened with yours?

 

[kota1369]

One thing that can help is if you break up the currant flock. With an excisting 4 take out 2 for 3 or 4 days. Then add the new 3 with all the others. That way you kind of have 3 groups. It can be ruthless that is for sure. I know how hard it is to ride it out.

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

I have seen many posts where they introduce the new birds by putting them in a separate enclosure next to the main one so they can see and talk to each other with out contact for a week. Then let them run together. Have heard much success with this method. This is how I am gonna do it in the future when I get more birds.