INTRODUCING NEW BIRDS

[mpoland33]

goooood morning,
I've come to a point in my flock where I want to introduce more and start the process of culling or selling some of the ones I have. All my girls (7) are 1 year and 3 months. I decided to bring in two girls that are in the 16-17 week range in. After quarantine and all that jazz, I introduced them into coop 2 nights ago after the original 7 were asleep. two of the original 7 have been picking on them. My new girls just sit on a perch in the run all day from what I can tell, though I was out for a good part of yesterday.

Are there things anyone recommends I do in order to ease the transition? Tips? I feel like if I target the 2 bullies to sell that 2 more bullies may step up.

 

[Mrs. K]

Pull out the bullies and see how it goes. Might be too many in the set up, and pulling out two will calm them down. If you were planning on selling two, do it now.

 

[Nordiclaura]

Put plenty of water and feed stations about they can't guard them all, you know then they are getting fed and watered.

 

[aart]

The whole 'put them in at night' does not always work.
Like bobbie-j sez: "chickens aren't the brightest animals on this planet, but they're not that stupid."

Removing the bullies may help...or not...but it's worth a try.

Here's some tips that may 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.

 

[chickens really]

Definitely a look no touch is a great method. Today I'm introducing a two year old Sebright to my flock of chickens that are all under a year old ranging from 3 weeks to 11 months. I'm crating her in the middle of the yard as my Birds free range and will let her loose after about an hour depending on how it goes in the crate..