Introducing new birds to my old girl

[Lindsaym]

Hi there guys! I've had the same three Rhode Island Red hens for 3-4 years. I lost two of them in recent months. One to old age and one unfortunately got picked off by a predator. I just brought home two new lovely ladies to add to the flock. I thought Chicken Girl (I know... very original ) would have appreciated her new friends after being alone for a few weeks but she went crazy! She pecked one girls eye and jumped on her back. there were no injuries thank goodness and they are separated right now but how do I keep this from happening? I can't keep them separated forever!

 

[sourland]

You've got to let them work things out. She is trying to prove her dominance. As long as serious injury is not being caused and they have space to get away from her, just monitor their interactions. It will take time for them to determine their place in the pecking order.

 

[Lindsaym]

You've got to let them work things out. She is trying to prove her dominance. As long as serious injury is not being caused and they have space to get away from her, just monitor their interactions. It will take time for them to determine their place in the pecking order.

That is what I thought. I think I am overly protective at this moment since I just recently lost two. Should I keep them separated when I cannot monitor them?

 

[Kathy Golla]

We have some neighbors we raised chicks for when they only had one hen left. It took a little while, but 3 months later they are best buds. The single older chicken was very lonely.

 

[CSAchook]

Integration takes time and patience (a fact I recite to myself every day as I struggle to combine my two flocks ). But it can be done!!!! Here are a few helpful articles to start you out. Hope this helps! Let us know if you have more questions

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-chickens-step-by-step.72815/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-to-integrate-your-chicken-flock-the-easy-way.63034/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock.71997/

 

[Lindsaym]

We have some neighbors we raised chicks for when they only had one hen left. It took a little while, but 3 months later they are best buds. The single older chicken was very lonely.

We have some neighbors we raised chicks for when they only had one hen left. It took a little while, but 3 months later they are best buds. The single older chicken was very lonely.

That is what I thought. I think I am overly protective at this moment since I just recently lost two. Should I keep them separated when I cannot monitor them?

or the re

We have some neighbors we raised chicks for when they only had one hen left. It took a little while, but 3 months later they are best buds. The single older chicken was very lonely.

Integration takes time and patience (a fact I recite to myself every day as I struggle to combine my two flocks ). But it can be done!!!! Here are a few helpful articles to start you out. Hope this helps! Let us know if you have more questions

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-chickens-step-by-step.72815/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-to-integrate-your-chicken-flock-the-easy-way.63034/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock.71997/

Thanks! I'll check them out!

 

[Lindsaym]

We have some neighbors we raised chicks for when they only had one hen left. It took a little while, but 3 months later they are best buds. The single older chicken was very lonely.

Thanks for the info!

 

[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.


This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock