introducing new chickens to flock

[newjchick]

I recently introduced 4 20-week-old chickens to my existing flock of 5 hens. One of those 4 chickens is a rooster. Here are some positives:

1. Chickens have learned to go into coop at nighttime.
2. There was some pecking at the 4 younger chickens but never to the degree that blood was drawn or injury occurred.

Now the negatives:

1. I don't think the 4 new chickens have integrated into the existing flock. They are almost like a second flock coexisting with my original flock of 5.
2. The 4 younger chickens have lost weight. In fact, they don't feel healthy when I pick them up - lots of bones, not much meat.
3. My one rooster (part of the younger flock of 4) has stopped crowing. When he was in the brooder box in my garage he consistently crowed in the early morning. Maybe I'm just not hearing him b/c the coop is a little ways back from my house, but I don't hear him crowing at all when I'm outside during the day.
4. My one rooster is not really acting rooster-like - he runs away from my older girls. Isn't he supposed to be keeping the girls in line, calling the shots, or am I mistaken??
5. I don't think the rooster is mating with the hens...is he too young?? Will he ever assert himself with the older hens?? Will I ever get fertilized eggs?

I know, lots of issues. It's just that things didn't turn out quite like I expected. Have I done something wrong?? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

[loanwizard]

I recently introduced 4 20-week-old chickens to my existing flock of 5 hens. One of those 4 chickens is a rooster. Here are some positives:

1. Chickens have learned to go into coop at nighttime.
2. There was some pecking at the 4 younger chickens but never to the degree that blood was drawn or injury occurred.

Now the negatives:

1. I don't think the 4 new chickens have integrated into the existing flock. They are almost like a second flock coexisting with my original flock of 5.
2. The 4 younger chickens have lost weight. In fact, they don't feel healthy when I pick them up - lots of bones, not much meat.
3. My one rooster (part of the younger flock of 4) has stopped crowing. When he was in the brooder box in my garage he consistently crowed in the early morning. Maybe I'm just not hearing him b/c the coop is a little ways back from my house, but I don't hear him crowing at all when I'm outside during the day.
4. My one rooster is not really acting rooster-like - he runs away from my older girls. Isn't he supposed to be keeping the girls in line, calling the shots, or am I mistaken??
5. I don't think the rooster is mating with the hens...is he too young?? Will he ever assert himself with the older hens?? Will I ever get fertilized eggs?

I know, lots of issues. It's just that things didn't turn out quite like I expected. Have I done something wrong?? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

You may have a pecking order problem at the feeder. If an alpha hen or hens are stopping them form getting adequate food, they will lose weight. I would put out a separate feeder and see what happens. Same thing with the roo. He may be being dominated. He will find his stride, at least with the hens he was brooded with, but probably with all of them.

 

[chicken farmer]

It could be there pecking order they are trying to work out.....and if they are losing weight then you should put more than 1 feeder and waterer in there pen because chickens will guard food and water and not let any other chickens get any so you should make shure theres plenty of food and water for all and make shure there is enough space for each chicken and that they are not bored and kept happy.

 

[bobbieschicks]

I recently introduced 4 20-week-old chickens to my existing flock of 5 hens. One of those 4 chickens is a rooster. Here are some positives:

1. Chickens have learned to go into coop at nighttime.
2. There was some pecking at the 4 younger chickens but never to the degree that blood was drawn or injury occurred.

Now the negatives:

1. I don't think the 4 new chickens have integrated into the existing flock. They are almost like a second flock coexisting with my original flock of 5.


That is how it looks when different groups integrate into one flock. Eventually they will form new alliances once the pecking order is established.


2. The 4 younger chickens have lost weight. In fact, they don't feel healthy when I pick them up - lots of bones, not much meat. 

Put in extra feeder areas and water areas for awhile. I have three feeding stations spread out so the bigs don't hog all the food. I have two water stations because that way one is always in the shade. Give them all supplemental vitamins for awhile until you're confident they're eating enough. You can also give them treats of hanging feed blocks.

3. My one rooster (part of the younger flock of 4) has stopped crowing. When he was in the brooder box in my garage he consistently crowed in the early morning. Maybe I'm just not hearing him b/c the coop is a little ways back from my house, but I don't hear him crowing at all when I'm outside during the day.

An unchallenged rooster won't crow as much.

4. My one rooster is not really acting rooster-like - he runs away from my older girls. Isn't he supposed to be keeping the girls in line, calling the shots, or am I mistaken??

He's still establishing his place in the flock. Give him time. Once he is confident he will show them food or at least pretend to so he can mate them. Then once he's mating them he will assert himself even more.

5. I don't think the rooster is mating with the hens...is he too young?? Will he ever assert himself with the older hens?? Will I ever get fertilized eggs?

He won't mate as much until he gets his confidence. Then watch who he is mating. My shyest cockerel is mating the two top ladies in his move to try to be top cockerel. The alpha roo is a silkie and he's more upset at the crowing Wellie who has only occasionally mated the lower ranking orpingtons. Give him time, he will probably come around soon given his age and the fact he's the only cockerel. The older hens will be his challenge. If they rebuke him too much he will just keep trying, maybe starting with the younger ones and moving up.


I know, lots of issues. It's just that things didn't turn out quite like I expected. Have I done something wrong?? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

I answered above under your numbers, but since I'm using my iPad I can't do much editing to make the colors different. Hope this helps.

 

[Jeniffer]

I have four older women who rule our hen house. My new baby girls and one rooster are not allowed to go into the hen house at night. They are staying outside and roosting there all night long. I don't mind this arrangement now because it's summer. Yet, I will have to integrate them at some point because of the winter and cold weather. I do have a closing mechanism for the hen house to the outside. I have tried unsuccessful to close "in" the babies. The older hens make schreeching noises all night. I realize they are not happy with their new roomates, yet, how do I get the all to just BE in the same area??

 

[chicken farmer]

Before dark put the chickens that are getting picked on in the coop then lock them in,then leave the more dominating hens outside........or lock the coop with no chickens inside and make them all roost outside for a couple days.....and they might all get along after awhile.

 

[bairo]

Here is some very good info. Aimed mainly at bringing in new chickens...but if you scroll down about 3/4 of the way you will see some tips on bringing in chicks as well.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

PS. Your rooster will be fine. It may take a few weeks but the girls will eventually submit. Your probably looking at a good week anyway before everyone gets it figured out (the hens I mean) the above advice about another feeder is right on as well. You want to do that asap.
I thought I was going through the same thing once, until I went out and found the rooster trying to mount one of the younger ones. As she screamed bloody murder my HIC (hen in charge) come hauling a** across the run and knocked him off. Thats when I knew everyone was going to be just fine.

 

[chicken farmer]

If I post a picture of my rooster on this page,will anyone PLEASE!!!!!help me?with what breed it is I would love it for any feedback.

 

[bairo]

do it over here instead and i'll look for it. That way if I cant help...there are some extremely experienced people in that forum that can

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/15/what-breed-or-gender-is-this

 

[chicken farmer]

Ok i will......thanks!!