Introducing new chickens to a new coop with existing chickens

[BDutch]

Sadly the dog crate is huge and won’t fit through the coop door. My coop is above ground, not a walk in.

Put a cardboard box in the dog crate that will fit in the coop. Then move the cardboard box into the coop after a few days and take the dog crate out.

 

[mew5280]

I’m currently introducing two 14 week olds to my three 8 month old hens. The two young ones are also terrified of the older ones because they get chased and pecked, but the pecking isn’t vicious and no blood. I haven’t let them stay together unless I’m watching them. Sigh. I just wish the new ones weren’t so scared. I do put them into the upper coop with the “big girls” at night, they don’t go on their own but once in there they’re fine. At 14 weeks, they’re a little smaller than the 8 month olds.

 

[BDutch]

Its quit normal that younger pullets get pecked, especially when you give them feed in one bowl /place and around roosting time.

I wouldn’t separate them anymore based upon you’re writing. But I would do this:

• supply feed in a second or even a third bowl/place.
• Make a second roost in another part of the coop (roosts a bit lower as the other one)

If the young pullets are more confident they want to roost on the higher roost with the older hens. But as long as they are scared its better if you don’t force them to avoid stress.

I ended up with happier chickens after I gave them the possibility to roost in another part of the coop. Sometimes living a bit more separated around dinner and roosting times is just better for peaceful coexistence.

If you want more answers you can make you're own thread.

 

[aart]

I’m currently introducing two 14 week olds to my three 8 month old hens. The two young ones are also terrified of the older ones because they get chased and pecked, but the pecking isn’t vicious and no blood. I haven’t let them stay together unless I’m watching them. Sigh. I just wish the new ones weren’t so scared. I do put them into the upper coop with the “big girls” at night, they don’t go on their own but once in there they’re fine. At 14 weeks, they’re a little smaller than the 8 month olds.

Perfectly normal @mew5280 .

Might help to read these tips about....
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/

 

[mew5280]

Its quit normal that younger pullets get pecked, especially when you give them feed in one bowl /place and around roosting time.

I wouldn’t separate them anymore based upon you’re writing. But I would do this:

• supply feed in a second or even a third bowl/place.
• Make a second roost in another part of the coop (roosts a bit lower as the other one)

If the young pullets are more confident they want to roost on the higher roost with the older hens. But as long as they are scared its better if you don’t force them to avoid stress.

I ended up with happier chickens after I gave them the possibility to roost in another part of the coop. Sometimes living a bit more separated around dinner and roosting times is just better for peaceful coexistence.

If you want more answers you can make you're own thread.

Thanks, I was just commenting on the previous posted since I was having similar issues. It’s been 6 days since I brought the new ones in so I’m going to give them more time together now. I did decide to put in another roost as my new chickens are sleeping in a nest box and I want to break that.

 

[mew5280]

Perfectly normal @mew5280 .

Might help to read these tips about....
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/

Thanks, have read that particular past many many times. . I have a wealth of head knowledge but sometimes you just need to observe your own animals and add to that book learning! It’s all good, just waiting and being patient.