Introduction going wrong!

[rkapfen]

For those that have seen my last post I recently got a bantam rooster that I am trying to introduce to my 5 non-bantam hens. I took him to the vet and he got the all clear bill of health and I have been trying to introduce them through a gated area. Him and one of my hens went at it through the gate and she bit him comb so bad he was bleeding and he took a chunk of her head feathers. Is this normal?? Is there no chance of them getting along now? What should I do?? I want them all to be happy and health, its breaking my heart.

 

[ashlierami]

For those that have seen my last post I recently got a bantam rooster that I am trying to introduce to my 5 non-bantam hens. I took him to the vet and he got the all clear bill of health and I have been trying to introduce them through a gated area. Him and one of my hens went at it through the gate and she bit him comb so bad he was bleeding and he took a chunk of her head feathers. Is this normal?? Is there no chance of them getting along now? What should I do?? I want them all to be happy and health, its breaking my heart.

How old is he? I've seen this before with my adult hens and a juvenile rooster that's just discovering what he's supposed to do. Once he matured and claimed his dominance over the ladies things calmed down and they no longer picked fights with him.

 

[rkapfen]

He is one year old and they are 8 months old. He seems like he knows what to do but they aren't having it. Would leaving him out there with more of a barrier help or would that just be putting fuel to the fire and I should bring him inside for a little bit? I was also planning on just putting him on the roost tonight. Would that be too soon considering how things are going? Or would they trust him more if they woke up with him?

 

[ashlierami]

He is one year old and they are 8 months old. He seems like he knows what to do but they aren't having it. Would leaving him out there with more of a barrier help or would that just be putting fuel to the fire and I should bring him inside for a little bit? I was also planning on just putting him on the roost tonight. Would that be too soon considering how things are going? Or would they trust him more if they woke up with him?

Since he can be separate I think you should have him there for a week or so where they can clearly see each other and get used to him being around. He's a newbie and they probably don't want him in their flock since he's a stranger. They will warm up to him eventually. My girls did. I have one hen that is the top girl she's about 4 or 5 years old and she even accepted my roosters being around so I know those girls can to.( She's a very dominant grouchy hen)

 

[rkapfen]

Since he can be separate I think you should have him there for a week or so where they can clearly see each other and get used to him being around. He's a newbie and they probably don't want him in their flock since he's a stranger. They will warm up to him eventually. My girls did. I have one hen that is the top girl she's about 4 or 5 years old and she even accepted my roosters being around so I know those girls can to.( She's a very dominant grouchy hen)

Okay I will reintroduce him to where they can't reach each other through the gate, thank you! Do you think the size is an issue? Everything I ready said it shouldn't be but now I'm worried that its going to be a problem..

 

[ashlierami]

Okay I will reintroduce him to where they can't reach each other through the gate, thank you! Do you think the size is an issue? Everything I ready said it shouldn't be but now I'm worried that its going to be a problem..

It maybe take a week or two. You could also give him treats to show the girls once you try to introduce then face to face again. I've found this works if the roo has something to offer the girls. I don't think his size will matter he just needs to claim his position over them.

 

[aart]

Guess you'll need to take it slower.

Here's some tips that might help....
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.

 

[chickens really]

He needs full access to the Hens so he can give them a lesson and become king of the flock. It will workout if he can become king.