Introducing my Hens to their new coop mates

[RobertHahn68]

Today is the day we see if all our hard work has paid off. For 6 weeks we have been raising two new hens to replace a few we have lost. The older hens, Biscuit and Ethel are think as thieves and we worry the new ladies won’t be accepted. Ethel is the leader and is very jealous of anything entering the space. The new hens were purchased at 6 wells and have been separated from the older girls for 6 weeks. Each day we have moved the new hens outside into a separate enclosure that adults can see and interact with. Yesterday we allowed them to mingle for the first time. Very scary as Ethel pecked and chased them around. It’s over 100 degrees here and we didn’t want them to get overheated so we took them inside after a bit. This morning, more of the same, pecking and fighting but not too aggressive. The older Hens are a Buff Orpington and an Americana. The new ones are a Buff and a Bard Rock. Being new to this I’m fearful for the younger hens but I also know that some packing and fighting is common.
Wish us luck!!

 

[Reliablesquirrel]

Good luck!

 

[aart]

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/