Integrating new pullets

[burbanchick]

I have 2 rocks and a cochin, all about 5 months old, hand raised. I adopted 2 handraised new pullets, an auracana and a giant, about 10 days younger than the others but all about the same size. This will be 3 weeks ago tomorrow and the "old" girls are still mean to the new ones. I tried the suggested putting them on the roost after dark when the others were sleeping but they just don't like them. I love my new girls and hate to see them bullied up into the hen house all day long while the others get to enjoy the nice sunshine. I put them out to free range separately for at least an hour a day (when I'm home) but I don't think it's enough. Any suggestions?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I would take away the 2 Rocks and let the 2 new ones make friends with the Cochin. After a week put the Rocks back and all will be well.

 

[burbanchick]

Oddly, the cochin is the nastiest one, even though she's smaller than the rocks. The giant is so gentle that even the little Auracan will pick on her some if they're alone.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Then mix up the birds using the same directions.

I've had Black, Blue and White JGs and they were all among the gentlest breeds I've had.

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

Yup, if possible remove the bullies. Let the new girls set up a pecking order, and after a week or so the trouble makers will basically have to start from the bottom.

 

[burbanchick]

Only problem is, I only have one hen house/coop. I tried putting a dog kennel in the coop and put the two meanest birds in there but it was just too small to leave them there for too long. All three of the older girls are just plain nasty, lowering their heads and running at my new ones. No blood has been drawn but there doesn't seem to be much peace, either. Yesterday we let the new ones out to free range first, then the old ones and they were all finally put together around dusk and it was a peaceful settling down for the night. Sigh.

 

[burbanchick]

Update! The strangest and most wonderful thing happened. We were going to get some heavy rain and I looked at the coop and decided that the roosts near the front weren't protected enough if it got windy, too. So I added a roost in a new place in the middle of the coop and it shook everything up! The new girls took that roost and the older girls went up by the hen house and then they actually took turns so everyone was safe from any downpour. Confusion over new arrangements seems to work. They're much better now. The older ones will still chase the new ones across the yard now and then but they're not nearly as aggressive and I often see the new ones eating alongside the others. Took a month but no more runny "stress" poops from anybody, either.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Thanks for the update.