integrating older bigger bird

[Kimberly4403]

I had 3 wyandotte 15 weeks old had to recently put down a young roo with a genetic leg disorder(diagnosed by vet) so i got a light coronation sussex hen who is ready laying. My 2 younger birds retreated to the coop when i introduced new bigger hen so ive put food and water out in run and in coop.. When the wyandottes go outside the sussex goes in and visa versa theres no major aggression just a bit of chasing so far ny sussex hen seems to be the dominant bird and i know they will need to establish a pecking order but currently the 2 younger wyandottes try and stay clear.. Im assuming this is all normal behaviour... When i locked them up last night the sussex was out in run still so i put her inside when it was dark and all seemed fine got up early to let them out this morning all seemed good but there back to keeping there distance again.. Its not been 24hrs since i got her yet

 

[QueenMisha]

Sounds normal to me! Sometimes it can take a LONG time to fully integrate groups; getting along doesn't always mean hanging out together right away.

 

[Kimberly4403]

I was thinking i wonder if i should make a couple of "panic rooms" im not sure if thats what you call it for the 2 younger birds to get under or in.. The new bigger bird chases the 2 original birds and unfortunately i had an injury yesturday while they were out in there 4x8foot run.. I also going to put a mound of grass clippings in today to distract them.. Any ideas on what i could use as a panic box?

 

[Kimberly4403]

So i made 2 panic boxes 1 for the run and 1 for the coop but thry dont use them yet they just run away.. I feel sorry for my 2 16week old wyandottes i thought getting a bigger bird they would leave it alone but its the other way round she chases and gives a peck and they have retreatedto the coop so ive been chucking in some scratch insometo keep them entertained.. Then when Miss Pearl comes in to lay she chases them out of the coop so they only been getting an hour max daily in the run on a positive note miss pearl has been giving us a daily egg since we got her on saturday

 

[Kimberly4403]

Should i lock miss pearl up in the coop so my younger girls can come out for the day

 

[QueenMisha]

Great idea making panic rooms! I do this for my younger chicks by putting pallets in the corners of the run with feed and water behind them.

You could do that, but honestly, as long you aren't seeing any blood or serious injuries, I would leave it alone. It might be wise to add a feeder and waterer to the coop, though, to be sure they get adequate nutrition. They will eventually settle in.

 

[Kimberly4403]

Great idea making panic rooms! I do this for my younger chicks by putting pallets in the corners of the run with feed and water behind them.

You could do that, but honestly, as long you aren't seeing any blood or serious injuries, I would leave it alone. It might be wise to add a feeder and waterer to the coop, though, to be sure they get adequate nutrition. They will eventually settle in.

Unfortunately my silver laced wyandotte lost a toe nail yesturday.. I have water and feed inside coop and in run but im so sick of them tipping water over into the pine shavings!

 

[aart]

How much space do you have....in feet by feet?
Space is critical, IMO.... smaller the space, larger the stress.
They need room to get away, places to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not dead end traps) and/or up and away from aggressors.
Multiple feed/secure water stations help too.

 

[Kimberly4403]

My run is 8x4 feet and my coop is 4x4 feet which is the correct space requirement for 3 hens... I regards to line of sight should i be adding stuff to disrupt line of sight?

 

[Kimberly4403]

I added this piece of board to create a break in the line of sight the outdoor roost is high enough for only my younge girls to reach miss pearl is probs too big she hasnt even tried to get up there.. The panic room i made out of cardboard box wondering if i should just remove it.. They dont go under it and im concerned its taking up too much "escape" space.. They never used the one in the coop either which i thought they might sleep in but they didnt they just huddle into a corner and miss pearl either pecks at them until shes settled or tries to sit on them. I tried putting miss pearl up on the roost last night but she just got straight down