Integration not going too well..

[Thechickenchick2]

I have been introducing my 10 week old chickens (2 cockerels and 4 pullets) to my 8 month old pullets for the last few weeks. They have been in a crate where they are able to see each other and mingle through for the last 3 weeks. Over the weekend I let them all free range together and it didn’t go all too well. They seemed to divide and stay in their pairs but often there were 1-2 of my older pullets that were pretty nasty. We are moving to a new home at the end of May and I’d really like that integration process to be over before then so they can coexist together once we are moved in. Any advice? It seems that one specifically is just plain NASTY. It also seems the cockerels are more the targets..

 

[Thechickenchick2]

Also, there is PLENTY of space, food and water to go around ... we now have them in bigger coops that are side by side (mesh on each of their coops are touching)

 

[aart]

It can take time.
As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out.

Can you post pics of their side by side coops and runs?

Are there....??
Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

 

[Folly's place]

Generally birds raised together are 'family', often for life. So it's normal for them to be in separate groups, for a long time.

As aart said, as long as there are no injuries, plenty of space, and places to hide, things will work out.
Mary

 

[micstrachan]

I have only been through one integration process, and it took a looong time. They are just now (10-ish months later) acting like one flock. The original girls, who are all at the top of the pecking order, still tend to branch off, but often a couple of the younger ones will be with them or vice versus. I did a couple of times have to put the most brutal of the older girls in the equivalent of a playpen within the run to let the littles have some peace while they adjusted to the rest of the flock. That helped quite a bit in letting them establish themselves. I also would let the big girls out to free range while the littles got to explore the big run. It will work out. The pecking order is very real and sometimes harsh, so just know that even once things settle down, you will see the alpha girls show their dominance. That is ok and perfectly natural. Adding enrichment activities and hide out spots, as was already suggested, can help. Good luck!

 

[gator75]

I went 4 weeks before I gave up and rehomed my two hens. They were just starting to remotely tolerate the 3 new 8 wk old pullets but just felt like thy would never accept them. I had one too many anyway, so replaced the two with one 16 week old pullet. It's a perfect fit. The three took her in like she was one of their own and she likes them as well. I can't deal with my small flock in chaos. It's in harmony now and much more enjoyable.

I think it just takes a lot of time as mentioned above.

 

[Thechickenchick2]

Wow, thank you all for your responses! I am allowing them to free range all together and hoping that’s the best and easiest way to integrate with tons of space and food/water. We do have several hide outs and safe places. Thanks for the help. It means a lot!!

 

[Peppercorngal]

I have two "old hens" that survived the bear attacks last fall. I have 26 thirteen week old chicks too. I have 2 runs and coops and will need, sooner or later, to place some of the new girls in with the old hens. I'm letting them free range in our fenced off "free range" area for now each day. The area is about 50 ft. x 50 ft. One of the old hens, Myrtle Mae, is mean and likes to go into the other run, chase the chicks and eat their food. She eventually tires of this and will go back out to free range. The other hen Beverly, is much nicer but does let the chicks know she is boss. There is not constant picking or feather pulling or blood so I'm sure with time they will accept each other.