Intro baby chicks to flock and flock is now not laying eggs

[JessicaPoff]

I have 4 hens over a year old. 2 easter eggers and 2 buff orpintons. I also have 3 month old chicks that we have slowly introduced to the flock. First we tried holding the chicks outside the runner and letting the girls get use to them but they would peck them pretty aggressively. Then we would take the chicks and try to put them in the runner while standing there holding them, again the hens would be aggressive. Then we tried putting the hens up and just letting the chicks play in the runner and hoping their smell would take over. Now that they are three months we have tried letting them all come together and it is just not working well at all. So the first few weeks we tried just putting them out there all day in the runner but the hens would have them cornered and would be bullies. It would have the babies so stressed and scared. And the hens would NOT allow them in the coop at all. So basically we had to make a small home inside the runner for the chicks at night. Then I took the hens and would leave them in the runner during the day and let the chicks explore the coop. Then at night I would open the runner door to let the hens in the coop. Well again the chicks do not move out of their corner, as they tremble at the girls who are just being mean. And now my hens are not laying eggs at all. It has been day 3 now and now eggs. Before we got eggs every day. I don't know what to do here. The hens have to get use to the baby chicks and the baby chicks need to get use to the big girls and we need our eggs. Can someone please help.

 

[Aapomp831]

I have 4 hens over a year old. 2 easter eggers and 2 buff orpintons. I also have 3 month old chicks that we have slowly introduced to the flock. First we tried holding the chicks outside the runner and letting the girls get use to them but they would peck them pretty aggressively. Then we would take the chicks and try to put them in the runner while standing there holding them, again the hens would be aggressive. Then we tried putting the hens up and just letting the chicks play in the runner and hoping their smell would take over. Now that they are three months we have tried letting them all come together and it is just not working well at all. So the first few weeks we tried just putting them out there all day in the runner but the hens would have them cornered and would be bullies. It would have the babies so stressed and scared. And the hens would NOT allow them in the coop at all. So basically we had to make a small home inside the runner for the chicks at night. Then I took the hens and would leave them in the runner during the day and let the chicks explore the coop. Then at night I would open the runner door to let the hens in the coop. Well again the chicks do not move out of their corner, as they tremble at the girls who are just being mean. And now my hens are not laying eggs at all. It has been day 3 now and now eggs. Before we got eggs every day. I don't know what to do here. The hens have to get use to the baby chicks and the baby chicks need to get use to the big girls and we need our eggs. Can someone please help.

How large is your setup? Have you provided more than one feeding / watering stations? Your big hens are stressed - that’s why they’re not laying. With integrating, the original birds get their panties all in a bunch over resources... they DONT want to share. I would go back to the see but can’t touch method for a little longer; use chicken wire to separate the two areas... feed them scratch “together” through the chicken wire so they can get used to eating as a flock. But again - your run size and set up may have a lot to do with things.

 

[Yardmom]

The chicks need a place to hide, but not be able to get trapped. They need to show they submit, but can not do that in a small open space.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

You needbto set up a see/no touch integration

 

[ladybrasa]

As far as egg laying, any change can potentially cause a hen to stop laying for a bit. They’ll start again once settled enough.

 

[aart]

How large is your setup?

Yes, pics with dimensions will help here.

First we tried holding the chicks outside the runner and letting the girls get use to them but they would peck them pretty aggressively.

Just holding the chicks near the flock won't cut it.
The new birds need to live next to the existing birds 24/7 for a couple-few weeks before allowing them physical interaction.

Here's some tips about.....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. 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. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

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.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/