Is this supposed to happen?

[purplerice27]

Hi! This is an update regarding an earlier post I made about integrating new birds into an existing flock. I put her in last night in the coop, and they all made it through this morning when suddenly, my two ISA Brown hens just went at her and did not stop until I intervened.

This is the damage they did. At this point, is this normal? Do I still have a chance of adding her to my flock? And can someone describe or explain the "pecking order process?" I know it can get rough but I don't know how rough it will get and how long it will last. Please help me!!

 

[2 many chickens]

Hi! This is an update regarding an earlier post I made about integrating new birds into an existing flock. I put her in last night in the coop, and they all made it through this morning when suddenly, my two ISA Brown hens just went at her and did not stop until I intervened.

This is the damage they did. At this point, is this normal? Do I still have a chance of adding her to my flock? And can someone describe or explain the "pecking order process?" I know it can get rough but I don't know how rough it will get and how long it will last. Please help me!!

That's going to happen. How long have you had the new chicken? When I first brought home new chickens I put a cage wall in the coop so they could see the chickens but not hurt them. It made it so they could get used to them but not hurt them. You could use anything to make an eclosed area in the coop. I left it that way for a couple of weeks. Then I removed the wall. Yes, they fought but not bad. They had to earn their spot in the pecking order.

 

[oceansunset73]

It is my understanding that the best way to integrate a new chicken into your flock is to keep them seperated for a while, either fenced or a large cage, but yet still visible to everyone so they can get use to the new member. Afterwards, there will still be a pecking order situation, but it shouldn't be as aggressive.

 

[purplerice27]

It is my understanding that the best way to integrate a new chicken into your flock is to keep them seperated for a while, either fenced or a large cage, but yet still visible to everyone so they can get use to the new member. Afterwards, there will still be a pecking order situation, but it shouldn't be as aggressive.

How long would this separation be? As of today they've only seen each other for about a week.

 

[purplerice27]

That's going to happen. How long have you had the new chicken? When I first brought home new chickens I put a cage wall in the coop so they could see the chickens but not hurt them. It made it so they could get used to them but not hurt them. You could use anything to make an eclosed area in the coop. I left it that way for a couple of weeks. Then I removed the wall. Yes, they fought but not bad. They had to earn their spot in the pecking order.

You said a couple of weeks, and my chickens have only seen each other for a few days. I guess that's my biggest mistake. Thank you!

 

[MagpieDucks]

Are you only integrating 1 bird? Did you quarantine her first? It might be a bit late to do that now but for future reference you should quarantine the new birds separately for a month or so to make sure they don't pass harmful diseases to your flock. Do you have her separated from the other chickens? I would keep her separated, clean her up the best you can (if you haven't already) and try again. Try the see no touch method as mentioned above. Then try putting the bird that's lowest on the totem pole in there with her and see how that goes (under supervision of course). This does happen, but you should intervene right away when you see them drawing blood, holding them down etc.

Try that and see how it goes.
Best of luck.

 

[junebuggena]

It should also be noted that when integrating new birds, space is vital. The smaller the flock, the more space is needed. The new bird needs to be able to get out of the dominant birds' line of sight. In a small setup, that is difficult to do. It's also best to give them at least 2 weeks living near each other, but separated for safety, before you put them together. Multiple food and water stations and breaking up sightlines will also help reduce territorial aggression.

 

[lazy gardener]

What are the dimensions of your coop and run? When a top of pecking order bird tells an under dog bird to move, what she's really saying is, "Get out of my space, or I'm gonna rip your face off." Generally, that space, in the bird's pea brain mind is about a 10' radius. If the underdog can't retreat that far, the top dog takes that as a challenge and goes into attack mode. If that happens, other birds may join the fight. In a confined area, it's possible for the underdog to get killed. If you are only integrating one bird, she's at a decided disadvantage, b/c the entire flock focuses all of their aggression on that one new bird.

 

[purplerice27]

Are you only integrating 1 bird? Did you quarantine her first? It might be a bit late to do that now but for future reference you should quarantine the new birds separately for a month or so to make sure they don't pass harmful diseases to your flock. Do you have her separated from the other chickens? I would keep her separated, clean her up the best you can (if you haven't already) and try again. Try the see no touch method as mentioned above. Then try putting the bird that's lowest on the totem pole in there with her and see how that goes (under supervision of course). This does happen, but you should intervene right away when you see them drawing blood, holding them down etc.

Try that and see how it goes.
Best of luck.

She has already been quarantined, but as everyone is saying, my next step is to separate them, but keep them in each other's sights. I might also try to get another hen or 2 to alleviate the pressure on 1 bird. Thank you!

 

[Mrs. K]

Adding one bird, is very difficult. If you can separate her, do so, let her heal up a bit, then pick another bird of your flock to put with her. Now there will still be a bit of pecking, but it will be a one bird to one bird. After several days, then introduce the pair. When you introduce the pair, put the two bullies where you had the pair. This will allow them to work it out a bit without the tough pair adding their two cents.

Another thing to consider is your run, many are just an open rectangle. I prefer, some obstacles, some roosts, some platforms that birds can get on top or underneath. Some short walls in the middle, were a food bowl can be set up out of sight of the other food bowl. While your run will look more cluttered, it will actually give more space to the set up, and it allows lower birds to get out of sight to the more aggressive birds.