Introduce new hens together?

[chloeonz]

Hi all, I have a white hen (old) and a PBR pullet (5 months) and have just introduced a 2 yr old Orpington that needed to be rehomed, (we’ve named her Mable) she has been kept behind a wire pen for 3 nights so far and still is, and all has gone reasonably well.
We are getting 3 more hens today - a Barnevelder pullet, and 2 Araucanas (one laying, one a pullet) from the same breeder and they’ll be travelling in seperate cat cages. The timing to get these new 4 was supposed to happen around the same time, but it didn’t work out that way unfortunately.
My question is, do I put the Barny in with Mable, and the two Araucana ‘s together obviously as they know each other already?
Or do i put all 3 together, and Mable still by herself? they’ll all by in close distance anyway as they are divided in the same coop.

Mable is a typical Orp - gentle and submissive. If the Barny seems the same way with the Ara’s should i then put Barny in with Mable so the two gentle ones are together? Or just make it up as I go? Lol.

Also a side note - I let Mable out with my original two for an hour today and it went well, they ignored each other a lot of it but the white hen pecked at Mable and Mable ran off which i was expecting. Then about 1/2 hr later Mable was dust bathing and white hen came up and started pecking her head and she couldn’t move as she was lying down. Then white hen started scratching next to her head so I interferred and re-seperated them. Not sure why the white hen wasn’t getting the hint that Mable had submitted to her dominance already...
Or should i have seen what white hen was doing by the scratching?

 

[rosemarythyme]

My question is, do I put the Barny in with Mable, and the two Araucana ‘s together obviously as they know each other already?
Or do i put all 3 together, and Mable still by herself? they’ll all by in close distance anyway as they are divided in the same coop.

Also a side note - I let Mable out with my original two for an hour today and it went well, they ignored each other a lot of it but the white hen pecked at Mable and Mable ran off which i was expecting. Then about 1/2 hr later Mable was dust bathing and white hen came up and started pecking her head and she couldn’t move as she was lying down. Then white hen started scratching next to her head so I interferred and re-seperated them. Not sure why the white hen wasn’t getting the hint that Mable had submitted to her dominance already...
Or should i have seen what white hen was doing by the scratching?

Don't assume that the former flockmates "know" each other already - it's been 3 days and the change in environment can completely shake things up, and they may no longer accept each other (also depending on how the breeder set things up, they may not have actually been in the same flock).

I wouldn't have interfered with your white hen, unless she was actively causing harm to Mabel. The pecking was likely to tell Mabel "that's my spot, you move!" but the scratching might've been the white hen getting ready to settle down for a bath as well.

 

[Mrs. K]

I agree, the more you interfere, the more you separate, the more you prolong this ordeal. I try to give them options, such as hideouts, roosts and multiple feed bowls out of sight of each other. But other than that, I let them at it, unless one is cornered and bloody, I would not intervene.

They do duke it out, but they get it settled.

Mrs. K

 

[chloeonz]

I agree, the more you interfere, the more you separate, the more you prolong this ordeal. I try to give them options, such as hideouts, roosts and multiple feed bowls out of sight of each other. But other than that, I let them at it, unless one is cornered and bloody, I would not intervene.

They do duke it out, but they get it settled.

Mrs. K

Oh wow! Im so glad you replied, because on a facebook chicken group someone told me i need to seperate for 6 WEEKS! I was like - the hen is in a small pen - I do not feel comfortable keeping her or any other hens like that for that long. Seemed excessive for me but maybe they have a big enough area to do that.

 

[chloeonz]

Don't assume that the former flockmates "know" each other already - it's been 3 days and the change in environment can completely shake things up, and they may no longer accept each other (also depending on how the breeder set things up, they may not have actually been in the same flock).

I wouldn't have interfered with your white hen, unless she was actively causing harm to Mabel. The pecking was likely to tell Mabel "that's my spot, you move!" but the scratching might've been the white hen getting ready to settle down for a bath as well.

Yes, I see my mistake now, you are probably most definitely right.
Dammit - huge fail there on my part

I have confirmation the Ara’s were together but I will still keep an eye on them.
I will try put the Barnevelder in with the Orp at night time (they are arriving here at night), I will have to be quick-smart in the morning if all hell breaks loose between them though.
I have confirmation the Ara’s dont know the Barny, so that is also why im inclined to put The barny with Mable (the Orp) so it evens things out and less 2 on 1 bullying.
They have perches and boxes and lots of food to get out of each others way.
I thought I knew everything but goes to show text book situations don’t always end up reality and I’ve just got to get on with it. Thank you for your advice and help!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I thought I knew everything but goes to show text book situations don’t always end up reality and I’ve just got to get on with it. Thank you for your advice and help!

Well the other issue with books (or even browsing an internet forum) is of course every flock, every set up, every situation is different. So you really do need to consider all possible scenarios and then play it by ear as things develop. Sometimes even after a prolonged integration period some birds never quite get along, other times a keeper gets lucky and there's barely a scuffle after birds are just tossed together. The important things to me are that no one gets hurt (either new or old birds) and that all birds get some access to resources, whether food or water or space.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Bio Security - Are you able to quarantine the newbies before adding to your flock?

 

[chloeonz]

Bio Security - Are you able to quarantine the newbies before adding to your flock?

They are apart, but have been de-liced already, and its winter here, and we live on sandy soil so we hsve a high chsnce of being ok. But for now, they are seperate.
I didn’t put Barnevelder with Manle, the 3 newbies were fine together so left them like that. Mable is happy to have some sort of company even though they’re across the coop from her.
Thanks everyone! So far so good!

 

[aart]

How big is your coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would be most helpful here.

Here's some tips on......
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.

 

[chloeonz]

I fed them this morning along the fence line, a great idea actually.