Introducing new girls to existing flock. Help Please.

[dazenski]

I have 7 girls. 5 are 1 year old and 2 are 7 months old. The older ones are Rhode Island Red, Black Australorpe, Light Brahma, Speckled Sussex and a Isa Brown, the 2 younger ones are a Black Copper Maran and a Lavender Orphington. I have had the 2 younger ones in the same run with the other girls separated by a fence, so they can see each other all day long. The problem I am having is getting them all together. They free range daily out of the run and everyday the older ones are constantly attacking the Lavender Orphington- either one at a time or even all 5 at the same time. We have tried to put them in the run together with supervision and they are constantly attacking her really bad, I am afraid they are going to kill the LO. Even free ranging I can't leave them alone. I have heard that you can separate the bullies for 10 days and then reintroduce. How do I do this with the 5 older girls. I am very afraid they will kill her so any advice would be greatly appreciated.Hello everyone, I need some advice

 

[pennyJo1960]

when it is dark set new on roost or whatever you use that way in the morning they are all together

 

[Rick M]

You need obstacles, multiple feeding and watering areas. There will be pecking and putting younger ones in their place. As long as they are causing blood or serious damage and the littler ones have an escape path they need to work it out on their own as much as possible.

 

[aart]

How big is your cop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would be most helpful here.

Here some 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.