Introducing a new chicken..

[chrisb01]

Can anyone tell me how or point me to a thread where I can learn how to introduce a new chicken to the gang and not worry about pecking??

 

[drumstick diva]

use the search box, I think the kindest, gentlest way is the "See but don't touch," method of integration. It's not fast but if done right no blood shed.

 

[chrisb01]

use the search box, I think the kindest, gentlest way is the "See but don't touch," method of integration. It's not fast but if done right no blood shed.

Thanks drumstick, I agree, will put her in a dog crate tomorrow.. Will hit the search box also..

 

[Pork Pie]

Flock integration
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/topic-of-the-week-adding-new-chickens-to-the-flock.1164542/

Re-integration
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/reintegrating-a-recovered-hen-to-a-small-flock
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1015820/reintegration-by-supervised-visits#post_15742910


Adults to adults

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-see-but-don-t-touch-method

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1098683/introducing-new-chickens-to-old-flock#post_16895615


Intro chicks to adults

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-see-but-don-t-touch-method

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1126547/topic-of-the-week-integrating-chicks-into-an-adult-flock

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1069595/introducing-chicks-to-adults#post_16276224

 

[chrisb01]

Flock integration
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/topic-of-the-week-adding-new-chickens-to-the-flock.1164542/

Re-integration
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/reintegrating-a-recovered-hen-to-a-small-flock
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1015820/reintegration-by-supervised-visits#post_15742910


Adults to adults

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-see-but-don-t-touch-method

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1098683/introducing-new-chickens-to-old-flock#post_16895615


Intro chicks to adults

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-see-but-don-t-touch-method

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1126547/topic-of-the-week-integrating-chicks-into-an-adult-flock

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1069595/introducing-chicks-to-adults#post_16276224

Thanks so much Pork, really appreciate it.. I'll read them all..

 

[aart]

and not worry about pecking??

There will always be some pecking, even in a well established flock.
@Pork Pie Ken has got you covered, but I'll still pop this in here.

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.

 

[chrisb01]

There will always be some pecking, even in a well established flock.
@Pork Pie Ken has got you covered, but I'll still pop this in here.

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.

Thanks a lot, this is very informative, I will book mark it, and re-read once in a while..