Integrating new members

[kimthom66]

I have 4 new additions that are over 3 months old, 2 Blue Copper Marans, 1 Black Copper Marans and 1 silver laced wyandotte. They were introduced quite awhile ago in my grow out pen and recently moved into the big girl pen about a month ago. The grow out pen is very close to the big girl pen and can be seen from it. And they have all been free ranging together for awhile (I use that term loosely because they tend to stay to themselves and not free range with the flock) My problem is the big girls still chase them when I lock them all into the pen at dusk and in the morning until I let them out to free range the big girls keep them in the coop and wont let them out. When I let the big girls out to free range the young ones come running out of the coop and head straight for the food and water. I normally don't like to free range unless I am home due to predators but if I didn't I am not sure the young ones would get out of the coop all day? How long will this behavior continue? It has been well over a month and it appears to be getting worse not better? Any suggestions?

 

[GitaBooks]

Those are beautiful birds!

I could be wrong, but the two Blue Copper Marans appear to be roosters.

 

[kimthom66]

Those are beautiful birds!

I could be wrong, but the two Blue Copper Marans appear to be roosters.

Yes I believe them bit to be roosters now I need to re-home one and I don't know which one? I need a mild tempered roo.
One is smaller than the other and tonight when I picked them up (not easy to catch) the larger one pecked my hand pretty hard which the smaller one find not? So I guess I have my answer?!?

 

[GitaBooks]

Yes I believe them bit to be roosters now I need to re-home one and I don't know which one? I need a mild tempered roo.
One is smaller than the other and tonight when I picked them up (not easy to catch) the larger one pecked my hand pretty hard which the smaller one find not? So I guess I have my answer?!?

You don't want to keep the aggressive one, that is true. However, keep in mind that low-status roosters can become aggressive if their older siblings are removed.

 

[kimthom66]

But if I keep them both it won't work either? I have someone interested in one so I need to decide what to do and quickly

 

[GitaBooks]

But if I keep them both it won't work either? I have someone interested in one so I need to decide what to do and quickly

I would keep the less aggressive one and hope for the best.

 

[Mrs. K]

As to your original question - what does your run look like? Many pictures on here show a large open rectangle. They are uncluttered so it looks like more space. However, it is very limiting as only a two dimensional space (the floor) is used. Try adding some roosts in the run, adding a pallet up on blocks so birds can get under and on top of it. Try adding a wall that a bird can get behind and out of sight, by leaning a pallet or piece of plywood agains a wall, but make sure both ends are open so as not to make a trap.

A one size fence can be a help too, one with openings big enough for the smaller birds, but too small for a larger bird.

These ideas let birds in the flock get away from each other. In free ranging, a bird higher up, threatens a lower bird, and the lower bird moves away to show respect. If the lower bird cannot leave, the older bird takes that as a sign of disrespect, and chasing and pecking start.

Mrs K

 

[kimthom66]

As to your original question - what does your run look like? Many pictures on here show a large open rectangle. They are uncluttered so it looks like more space. However, it is very limiting as only a two dimensional space (the floor) is used. Try adding some roosts in the run, adding a pallet up on blocks so birds can get under and on top of it. Try adding a wall that a bird can get behind and out of sight, by leaning a pallet or piece of plywood agains a wall, but make sure both ends are open so as not to make a trap.

A one size fence can be a help too, one with openings big enough for the smaller birds, but too small for a larger bird.

These ideas let birds in the flock get away from each other. In free ranging, a bird higher up, threatens a lower bird, and the lower bird moves away to show respect. If the lower bird cannot leave, the older bird takes that as a sign of disrespect, and chasing and pecking start.

Mrs K

I have a large roost in the run as well as a bunk bed ladder they can go up? But the older hens sit at the opening to the coop and won't let them out in the morning? and if they do get out they quickly chase them back in? I have two feeders and two waterers. I just notice when I open the run to let them free range the young ones come out of the coop and devour the food and water. I do have a feeder in the coop but no room for water...Getting them back into the run after free ranging is also difficult as they stand by that door too when I'm trying to chase them in? I just didn't think it would take this long, the last time I added young ones it wasn't this difficult?

 

[kimthom66]

In this photo you can see the two chickens on the roosting bar on the left and barely see the bunk bed ladder on the right. There are four being bullied 2 are roosters and 2 hens. I am re-homing one of the roosters this week which then there will only be 3 to my 6 bullies. what should I do?

 

[mmmyyykkkeee]

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.