Introducing 15 week old pullets, am I doing something wrong?

[rosemarysugar]

I am currently trying to introduce 2 15wk olds to 5 11month olds. I started out by doing a quarantine for 30 days, then put in separate cage nearby, introduction in neutral territory, and now completely supervised time in the chicken yard together. There's been no knock down, drag out fights but pecking and some chasing. I expected this. We put them together for an hour or so several times a day and we hang out and watch what's going on. Then, we put the babies back in their nearby pen and go inside. There are 3 big girls that are being stinkers and peck every time the babies pass by while in their yard. The other two are used to them and don't care unless they get in the way. The poor babies are so scared when they are in with the big girls. When will they let up? Am I going about this wrong? I'm afraid to put them together and walk away.

 

[RodNTN]

Hello there! And It is wonderful to have you here with us!

This is completely normal, when they're in the yard they're probably too distracted to fool with them then. But once they're actually together that's when they'll get ticked by the "intruders". As long as they do not get seriously hurt, they'll be fine. Some bickering is normal for a while though Just make sure the newcomers have some places to hide if the big hens are being real stinkers.

Keep us updated, please!

Best wishes!

 

[bobbi-j]

Sounds like typical chicken behavior to me. Make sure the babies have a place to get away from the big girls. A pallet leaned against a fence or wall is good for that, as long as both ends are open so you're not creating a trap. The younger ones will soon learn to stay out of the bigger ones' way. As long as no one is being pinned down and viciously attacked, I'd let them be and work things out.

 

[micstrachan]

You’re doing a great job! It will work itself out. When I was integrating (6 pullets with 4 hens... a little easier situation than yours) Ibfound offering a treat together helped. They’d get so distracted by the treat, they’d have to be in the same space to get it, but totally focused on the treat instead of each other. Of course, as always, give treats in moderation.

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC!

Yep, sounds pretty normal.
They will remain separate 'sub-flocks' until the youngers begin to lay and work their way up in the pecking order.

Do you have plenty of space in coop and run?
Dimensions and pics would help us spot and issues and/or improvements that might help.


Here's some tips that might help.....
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.

 

[Mrs. K]

In a month, it will get much better, not due to anything your doing, but when the pullets start laying, really moves them up and into the flock.

 

[rosemarysugar]

Hello All,

Thanks for the input! We are adding a leaning hiding spot for the babies today and I have 2 food and water stations around their chicken yard but will add another today. What we have is a large portion of our yard fenced in and then the coop in the middle and a shelter nearby. They aren't confined to a run but have access to a whole yard and the coop if needed. There's been no pinning down or full-on attacking but just as yesterday, they are pecking and chasing when they walk by the little ones. Every now and then one of the babies stands up to a hen but they usually just run. This morning, we decided to let them be together, in the big girl's yard, without supervision. We will see how it goes.