Introducting New Chickens

[Pack Mom]

Hello,
Last night we got three new chickens, they are Lemon Cuckoo Orpingtons. One is approx 1 to 11/2 old and the other 2 are 6 months old. Our current flock of 8 are 6-7 months old have been raised together. We put the new girls into the coop late last night so they went right to roost, The morning the new girls don't want to leave the coop and they are fighting with our flock - is this normal? Do we have to be concerned? What can we do to help out the new kids on the block?
Dorothy

 

[Judy]

Give them as much space as you can, give them hiding places and distractions (even just putting a few new things in their area, concrete blocks or a small roost, most anything, will help.) You might need to set up a separate food and water station at least during the day, away from the present one. Anything to shake up their world a little more. Let them work it out if you can -- just watch for blood. Maybe remove one from the old flock for a few hours, especially if you can identify a lead bully.

 

[Celie]

If you have the room, separate the new ones from the older ones with a wire fence or cage. Chickens like other animals do not like strangers invading their territory. If they can see each other, but not touch, no one gets hurt and in a few days, everyone becomes familiar with each other and all usually become one group.

 

[janinepeters]

Yes, it is normal behavior, and I agree with the 2 comments above mine. Think of it this way: suppose you were told you had to suddenly take in and share your home and your food with a group of strangers. This would be disconcerting for most people, and so it is with chickens. Whatever you can do to make the integration more gradual is likely to improve the chances of successful integration. Let them get to know each other and gradually work out a peck order so they can co-habitate in peace.

 

[Pack Mom]

We decided to build a second small coop to separate the two smaller orpingtons out, they were staying inside the coop all day and would get chased and pecked by everyone when they did try to come out for food and water. However, I think I may have discover one of the problems - I don't think my one hen is a hen!! The feathers on the tail are thinner and longer plus he/she is the same size as the other chicken and already has a comb. What do you think? Is it a rooster? If so how do I tell if it has the double bar gene........hmmmm so many questions. Will try to post a picture later.
Dorothy