Joining of the flocks!

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mcourtney6

mcourtney6

Hatching
Feb 15, 2015
7
0
7
New Jersey
We have 2 breeds of chickens. Bantams (June will be a year that we have had them from babies) 1Rooster and 3hens. And we also have 6 Buff Orpington's. They are 20.5 weeks..we just got one of their firsts eggs the other day! We have a pretty big coop and run attached to it. We currently still have the chickens separated..buffs are in a huge pen we built in the garage and the bantams are outside..when ever we get the chance we let them free range together (not much lately bc of all the snow) the bantam hens are very mean the the buffs. I feel like it's never going to happen that we can put them in the big pen all together..while free ranging if the buffs get to close to the bantams the bantam hens go after the buffs. Not so much the rooster though. I'm at a loss on what to do about it..we have put them all in the pen and my husband and myself have even sat in there with them and the bantams will still attack the buffs...they are all super friendly except the 3 bantam hens..even the rooster is very friendly. He rubs on your leg like a cat for you to pet him or pick him up but the little hens will run away they never want to be around people..if I can't work something out I may have to get rid of them :(. Has anyone else had a problem joining flocks?
 
Welcome to BYC!

It takes a bit of time to combine two flocks. Letting them see each other is a good thing. It is going to take some time for them to figure out their pecking order. After they've hung out a while do the nighttime add. I wait until it's completely dark and then add my new ones. So far it's worked like a charm.
 
Welcome to BYC! As @BayBay Peepers said, it takes time. Just watch when they are together that no one ends up bloody and let the birds sort it out.

Nice to have you join us.
 
Your bantie hens must have "Chihuahua syndrome" where they believe they are big and tough. Since the rooster is docile, I think I would rehome the hens, and get him new, younger banties. That way they will be somewhat intimidated by the large, older Orps and show some respect.
 
Thanks. I hope it works..The buffs don't defend themselves I feel so bad, and when they are in the pen all together all the buffs are huddled in a corner scared looking..grr
 
Another approach is to take the banties out. Let them cool off somewhere for a couple days while the buffs get comfy. Then add them back in. I did that with chicks once of varying ages. It was a long shot, but it worked. It was like the bigger chicks thought they were entering someone else's territory and they didn't pick on the wee ones at all.
 
Welcome to BYC!
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I'm glad you joined us.

I'm sorry to hear about your difficulties integrating two groups of birds! It can be hard to do, and involve some fighting. Are the bantams drawing blood or preventing the Orpingtons from eating/drinking? If they are not, then I would leave them be. Eventually, all the birds should get along together. It may take a week or longer, but a pecking order will be developed.

I suggest taking a look at these links:

Adding To Your Flock
Integrating Flocks
How to integrate your chicken flock the easy way

They may have some helpful information on integrating flocks.
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Good luck!
 
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