introducing new chickens to a flock.

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i bought 3 chickens last year and recently one of them was killed by a bird of prey, i got 2 more on monday called myrtle and maud and following the sellers advice we shut them in the run whilst the others ( since we free range our chickens) were left to roam the garden, when it came to getting them to bed we left them to it as we normally do as we had been informed that the older 2 chickens would go to bed and the two new chickens would follow them. for the past few days we have been having to interviene at bedtime and put them to bed as they all refuse to go on their own, especially when the two younger chickens were especially tired one day and took themselves to bed earier than the other 2, our two older chickens mildred and martha would not go in with them without causing chaos. i was just wondering if anyone could give me some advice as to what we could do. during the day they're fine as they have quite a big garden to roam they stay out of each others way but we are struggling at night. any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Judy]

I'd tempt them in with treats til they get used to it. The original flock may be attacking them an keeping them off the roost.

 

[TheMainException]

I didn't give my birds too much time to get used to each other. I had them separated across the yard in their own runs for a while and then I let the older ones out to free range so they could go visit the new ones when they wanted. Then I put them together to free range but put them in their own coops until I could tell which ones were the roos. Finally, I put all the old chickens and the new hens together in the same coop every night (I had to chuck them into the coop because they still wanted to be with their friends). This all happened over the span of 2-3 weeks. They got used to each other pretty quickly. Granted, I also had a pretty small original flock and nearly twice as many in the new flock, so that might have kept things from getting too out of hand.

 

[SunnyCalifornia]

Integration can be tricky. I had three older, and three younger that lived in separate quarters for 5 months. Two couldn't hack it when I first tried to put them together in the "big girls coop". So I had to pull them out, now two months later, I'm trying again, and they don't see to be getting picked on as much, so I think its gonna work this time.

Be prepared to separate them longer than you anticipate, and make sure nobody is getting picked on too badly, and give them lots of free range time together- as they have extra space to get away from one another, and just keep on trying. Sooner or later, they will have had enough "introduction" that the new pecking order is set, and nobody needs to get picked on anymore. You may still have bossy hens... I do.... and they might be nasty for no good reason, but as long as they are not being destructive, let them sort it out. Put out extra food and water dishes, so that isn't a point of contention, and everyone can get adequate nutrition.

Beyond that, cross your fingers!! Sometimes things just don't work out between animal personalities, just like humans, some just aren't compatible, but do give it plenty of time, and watch carefully. Think about how long it might take you to fully accept a brand new family member..... if you weren't the mama.....

 

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thanks for the help. the only thing is though weve managed to get the older two to bed but when the others follow them they get kicked back out. i think the only thing that has worked so far is getting the older 2 in letting them go to sleep then letting the other 2 go in afterwards. also we only have one coup and run so we cant seperate them. also im going to be on my own with them week after next. i live with my parents and im currently in my final year at college. theyre going away for a week. normally i would be fine but i need them to be able to get themselves to bed by then because i wont be there every evening, on wednesdays i have a late class and im not home tiill half 10. i guess im just hoping they will have sorted it out by then.

we had to remove mildred the older one today because shes not well, shes the one who does most of the pecking. shes been coughing really loudly and her breathing is really raspy, shes quite perky though and is still walking around eating, also we have been giving her antibiotics and she is strong so hopefully she will pull through - fingers crossed.

 

[annep]

We just got two new EE's that are older than our 8 RIR's, and at first, the EE's seemed to rule the back yard, but then they settled down a bit..Things are still being worked out here too..The EE's are separated, but right next to the other coup

 

[sab]

I read an odd way of handling this somewhere on this site. Some seem to think that if you let the older birds go to roost and then slip the new birds into the coop during the night, they all wake up as if they were a formed flock. Like since they woke up together they must be 'together'.... as in short term memory gone. Those posting said this works. I intend to try that when I introduce my new birds to the existing birds later about mid summer.

 

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yeah i heard about that too but the only thing is though theyve already been introduced so i dont think that would really work now. were going to get another small coop to kep the new chickens in for a few months until they start to accept them as part of the group.

 

[ECBW]

I can attest to the stranger in the night method. I have heard of it and actually was told by my chicken lady at the local farm where I bought a new member. The thing to remember is that they will still try to set the pecking order. There is a big difference in fights for pecking order and to kill. One is like a shoving match and one is relentless pursue for blood.

 

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just thought i should let you all know ive more or less sorted out the problem. mum and dad went away yesterday and im coping fine on my own. i mostly leave them to it and just go out to check that they havnt wandered too far. we solved the problem by just buying another coup from ebay and have transfered our 2 newbies to it. theyre all much happier now and the pecking has almost completely stopped. infact the chicken that was doing the majoity of the pecking has become quite friendly with them - since she was separated for a few days when she was ill she has settled down and the other one has started up in her place. :S. what time are your chickens starting to go to bed at? is 8.30 too early? ive heard some chickens dont go to bed till turned 9.30-10.00pm