Integrating new members

[kimthom66]

I actually have same problem. It is indeed difficult to integrate new chickens to an existing flock. Chickens are territorial and they establish a pecking order. I think it also depends on the breed. My three older hens chase my younger chickens and it is really stressful to watch them.

I don't have a space where they can free range so they are contained in my 10sqm backyard. Can you imagine the stress my birds and i are going through? The younger ones grew up in a pen right next to the older hens so they are seeing each other since they are chicks. When they turned 16 weeks and big enough, i removed the wire separating them and the chasing began.

I read some threads that it will take a week or two but mine appears to take forever.

Anyways, my buff orpington does not chase them a lot now. The young ones can even eat beside her. But my 2 older hens guard the feeders so i have to lock up the younger ones when feeding them so they can eat in peace. I open the pen after they are done eating so they can interact and get used to the older hens.

It is heartbreaking when you see the younger ones eat like there is no tomorrow. Obviously, they are hungry because the older hens do not let them get near the feeder. Since then, i separate them when feeding.

I've read that you should lock up the bully for a few days to reset the pecking order? But I can't tell who that is? As I have seen all 4 of them do it? I have mostly Orpingtons.

 

[mmmyyykkkeee]

Not sure about locking up the bullies to reset the pecking order.

What type of orpington do you have? My buff orpington is calm and docile but my splash orp is mean to my other chickens.

 

[the poppster]

I am in the process of integrating a bunch of chicks into the flock..I am fencing in the grassy area between the broody pen and the covered run...I will loose the flock into this thick grassy area, with a weedy garden, and release the hen and Chicks...usually the main flock is so preoccupied with all the lush greens they hardly notice the chicks...ya there's some chasing and fussing but its all part of the game...."furniture" is a great idea as someone mentioned in an earlier post...gives the chicks a place to duck into if the chase gets to extreme....as far as the coop...give the older girls something that's much more interesting then bullying the young birds....food...spread out on the ground...so no one can guard it all.....a really great treat that will be irresistible to them is carrot shavings...I put a bunch of carrots thru my food processor...they come out as little carrot strips broadcast them all over the pen before you let the girls out...make sure they know what they are and can see you putting them out....then let them loose....great food beats bullying any time....never pile them in a few places...if you don't want them picking on the new additions you have to give them something more interesting to do.