Integrating new pullets

[Dishens]

Hello! I have 2 16 week old pullets ready for the final phase of integration. They are fine with the flock except for my two Australorps. They chase them relentlessly. My thought is to crate the Australorps to reset the pecking order. How long should they be crated? Is this 24 x 7? Does the crate follow into the coop at night? Thanks!

 

[Ridgerunner]

There is debate on whether you need to totally isolate any "crated" birds from the flock or not when you are trying to reset behaviors. I've never tried to reset behaviors in the conditions you are talking about but I have for a few other conditions. When I did it they were locked in a pen in the coop. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I don't know how important that is for your situation, just make sure they are safe from predators. Try it and of it doesn't work try something else.

To me how much room you have in the coop and especially run is important. The more room they have to get away from each other and avoid each other can make a big difference. But occasionally you get a hen with an attitude. That can make it rough no matter how much room they have.

 

[Dishens]

There is debate on whether you need to totally isolate any "crated" birds from the flock or not when you are trying to reset behaviors. I've never tried to reset behaviors in the conditions you are talking about but I have for a few other conditions. When I did it they were locked in a pen in the coop. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I don't know how important that is for your situation, just make sure they are safe from predators. Try it and of it doesn't work try something else.

To me how much room you have in the coop and especially run is important. The more room they have to get away from each other and avoid each other can make a big difference. But occasionally you get a hen with an attitude. That can make it rough no matter how much room they have.

There is plenty of room in the run and our outdoor pens. I currently have the two new ones in a crate in the covered run. I also sectioned off their end of the run so they can exercise and get close to the others. The Australorp chases them right into their crate, even from outside.

 

[aart]

Curious how long you have had these new birds?
Tho the oft cited hard numbers are not carved in stone,
knowing the dimensions of coop and run(with pics),
and the number of birds you have would really help here.

 

[KellyLarkin3]

Do you need to separate new chickens to a flock or can you just put them in with the others and let them hash out their pecking order? I have two girls that I got about a month ago and I was offered two more from the same flock, so would I need to separate them first?

 

[merrymutts]

I just bought 6 new adult hens from a gal who was downsizing and BIG surprise...they are integrating right into our existing...even to roosting with them in the coop at night. Geez...did I luck out there.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I just bought 6 new adult hens from a gal who was downsizing and BIG surprise...they are integrating right into our existing...even to roosting with them in the coop at night. Geez...did I luck out there.

It often is this easy, especially if they have a little room and are the same maturity level. Most of what you read on here is the worst stories, not the successes. It can be dangerous. Most of our suggestions consider the worst case and how to prevent or at least minimize the risk, especially with limited room.

Thanks for letting people know it is possible.

 

[aart]

I just bought 6 new adult hens from a gal who was downsizing and BIG surprise...they are integrating right into our existing...even to roosting with them in the coop at night. Geez...did I luck out there.

Would be good to know what your housing is like...
Dimensions, and pics, of coop and run.
...and how many existing birds there were.

It often is this easy, especially if they have a little room and are the same maturity level. Most of what you read on here is the worst stories, not the successes. It can be dangerous. Most of our suggestions consider the worst case and how to prevent or at least minimize the risk, especially with limited room.

TrueDat!

 

[tpatricco]

Interested in advice on this too. We have four new pullets - age 3-4 months and trying to integrate with existing flock of four 7 month old hens. I have a 6x6 coop and a 6x10 covered run. Currently we put a chicken wire partition in the coop so the new four have their own "safe" space, and giving the existing girls the end of the coop with access to the run. We thought a 36" high partition would be sufficient, with up to the ceiling area in the part where the roosting bars are. Today my husband checked on them all at lunchtime and found 1 of the younger girls in the run being chased by the big girls, and 1 big girl in the coop on the wrong side of the partition. Ugh. (at present 4 youngsters in the coop, 4 original chickens in the run with the pop door closed.) There has been some pecking at the young ones through the partition. At least in the coop they should have enough room to get away from the partition to stay safe from pecking. I guess when I get home from work tonight we need to add another section of chicken wire to close up the rest of the upper part. How long does anyone think it will take for them to stop being "too mean" to the little girls?

New & Older girls "together"

• tpatricco
• Dec 3, 2019

New girls enjoying a snack. Jealous older girls on look on.

2019-12-01 16.33.30

• tpatricco
• Dec 3, 2019

 

[kattfink]

Interested in advice on this too. We have four new pullets - age 3-4 months and trying to integrate with existing flock of four 7 month old hens. I have a 6x6 coop and a 6x10 covered run. Currently we put a chicken wire partition in the coop so the new four have their own "safe" space, and giving the existing girls the end of the coop with access to the run. We thought a 36" high partition would be sufficient, with up to the ceiling area in the part where the roosting bars are. Today my husband checked on them all at lunchtime and found 1 of the younger girls in the run being chased by the big girls, and 1 big girl in the coop on the wrong side of the partition. Ugh. (at present 4 youngsters in the coop, 4 original chickens in the run with the pop door closed.) There has been some pecking at the young ones through the partition. At least in the coop they should have enough room to get away from the partition to stay safe from pecking. I guess when I get home from work tonight we need to add another section of chicken wire to close up the rest of the upper part. How long does anyone think it will take for them to stop being "too mean" to the little girls?

New & Older girls "together"

• tpatricco
• Dec 3, 2019

New girls enjoying a snack. Jealous older girls on look on.

2019-12-01 16.33.30

• tpatricco
• Dec 3, 2019

I have exactly the same situation! Have 3x 7month old hens (2 reds, 1 bantam) and 3x 3month old australorps. Have separated the coop with chicken mesh. Have been living alongside each other for a few weeks now.
When I let the together, our "head red" goes nuts. Attacks the new girls, jumps on them, pins them down, attacks their heads while sitting on them. They are terrified of her. The other 2 are copying her and attacking.
What do i do?