Integration Issues?

[CannedMonster]

I separated him after about 10 minutes because he was posturing and going after them with his spurs. They are all females.

Hmmm
How old is he?
It’s not unusual behavior but he will probably feel like dominating the new ones.
Separating him certainly isn’t a bad idea but not for too long as then he’ll have to be reintegrated too.
Is he being separated where the girls can still see him and he them?

 

[awizkey]

I put him back in and there is now a flock block in as well. All was going well and one of the gals chased an ee out of hiding and the roo and ri red chased her into the coop. I opened the door and she had a spot of blood on her head and is now hiding on top of a bale of straw in the coop.

 

[awizkey]

I'm a nervous wreck lol

 

[rosemarythyme]

Photos of the entire set up would help. Your coop is on the tight side for the number of birds but it sounds like the harassment is going on all over. How many feed stations do you have? How many obstacles are in the run, or is it a big empty space? Out of sight is out of mind for the birds, so if you don't currently have some obstacles, adding a few will help.

This is what my run layout currently looks like, in order to give you an idea of the "clutter" that helps break up the space during integration. And I currently have 3 feeders, 1 in coop, 2 spread in the run. Though in my case I was adding young chicks, not pullets, so some of the spacing was small (6"-12") on purpose.

 

[awizkey]

You can see where the pullets were in the smaller coop for the look but no touch. I am expanding the run behind the coop to the other side tues when the fencing arrives. It was supposed to be here Thursday. I think it will be better once that happens because they will be busy eating the grass on the other side. I will add more water and feeding stations as well.

 

[awizkey]

They were fine inside the coop after they turned in for the night. A little better today with the rooster. The white leghorns are as small as the smallest new additions and they leave them alone. Just the 4 rhode island reds. The rooster only goes after them now when a ruckus starts up and he is trying to control the situation.

 

[aart]

They were fine inside the coop after they turned in for the night. A little better today with the rooster. The white leghorns are as small as the smallest new additions and they leave them alone. Just the 4 rhode island reds. The rooster only goes after them now when a ruckus starts up and he is trying to control the situation.

That sounds pretty good overall.
The spurring thing had me worried, hope he's stopped that.
He's got a big job handling this integration, will be telling how he handles it in the next few days. Man, he is gorgeous!!

Run space is kinda tight, both in area and height. Being able to get up on something is one of the best 'hiding' places.
Do you have plans to improve your run before winter snows arrive?
Taller with a solid roof would improve the situation greatly.
That netting roof could be a real problem with snow load..BTDT...even the leaf fall could do it in.

Some ideas maybe, more pics in album.

 

[awizkey]

Thank you for the input. New fencing may be in the future. I have more of the same fencing coming tues (was supposed to be here 3 days ago) that will extend behind the coop and onto the other side. The netting on top faired pretty well last fall/winter. Hubby is getting ready to deploy in a couple weeks so just trying to get everyone situated. May get the dog pens in the future. I do plan on getting some perches set up as well. He is one gorgeous guy He knows it too lol

 

[Mrs. K]

If your birds can see any bird from any position in the run, you need more clutter. Mini walls, pallets up of bricks, roosts, all make use of the third dimension height. Hidden feed stations where a bird can eat out of sight of the others is a good deal. Currently I have old hens, pullets at point of lay and chicks and a broody hen and a rooster. I feed in 3-4 different spots, most hidden from view of the other spots.

Another trick next time, is to turn out the older established hens, and then let the new hens loose in the coop/run. This allows them to explore the situation without being chased madly and attacked. If you want, go in and give them a little chase yourself, so they can find the hide outs. Let the big girls in just before dark, the urge to roost will compete with the urge to fight.

You are over the worst of it, but more stuff in the run is nearly as important as more room. If you think on it, if you add a pallet up on bricks you have added more usable space. You will think I am crazy, but when I am doing something like this integration, I rearrange the furniture. Chickens hate change, so when I am making a change, I try and change it all up at once. Kind of spreads the focus out.

Mrs K

 

[aart]

The netting on top faired pretty well last fall/winter.

That's good.
Can you get into the run?
I guess a 'flexible roof' is handy with a short run.