Hello, everyone. I have four large chickens who are about 6- 7 months. We recently purchased five more chickens who are around 3-4 months. The large chickens are always pecking and running after the smaller ones. How long will this occur for? When will they get along?
Larger chickens are bullying my smaller young chickens!
- Thread starter Randudi89
- Start date
They will probably never quit pecking at them, as that is normal.Theyll quit pecking so much,but always have to remind the lower birds who’s boss.Once the young birds begin laying they typically all mesh together,atleast that’s when I notice the pullets and hens join together. As long a so serious injuries are being made and the young birds have places to fly and escape the older ones, they should be fine.
New additions to a flock are often 'hazed' by established flock members, this is their way of keeping a 'pecking order' in place. It usually eases but some birds do take it to extremes so as a responsible chicken owner you can take steps to reduce the stress or damage....
Keep introduction gradual. It helps to have the birds separated by a fence so they can see and hear each other for a while without physical contact before full integration. Chicken wire partitions or large dog cages can be used to facilitate the introduction.
Then Do the first introduction without divider in an outside area where the newbies have plenty of room to move out of the way of the older flock members. Sometimes the older birds are satisfied that the youngsters give way to them as a sign of respect and it allows the youngsters a chance to perch in a safe spot and observe the older bird interactions so they learn quicker who to avoid. Confined spaces are a recipe for disaster when a new bird can be cornered.
Provide escape routes and locations for the smaller birds. Boxes with openings too small for the bigger birds to get into can act as hiding spots and are also a good idea for 'creep feeders' and waterers. Established flock members can and will run newbies off away from food and water. So making sure they have access to food and water without bullying again falls on responsible owners.
So basically space and patience are needed, many times it can mean the owner needs to spend time actively monitoring the integration.
Remember, pecking orders exist in every flock, it needs to, and once established the flock tends to be more peaceful..... we just have to ease that transition time for the flock.
Keep introduction gradual. It helps to have the birds separated by a fence so they can see and hear each other for a while without physical contact before full integration. Chicken wire partitions or large dog cages can be used to facilitate the introduction.
Then Do the first introduction without divider in an outside area where the newbies have plenty of room to move out of the way of the older flock members. Sometimes the older birds are satisfied that the youngsters give way to them as a sign of respect and it allows the youngsters a chance to perch in a safe spot and observe the older bird interactions so they learn quicker who to avoid. Confined spaces are a recipe for disaster when a new bird can be cornered.
Provide escape routes and locations for the smaller birds. Boxes with openings too small for the bigger birds to get into can act as hiding spots and are also a good idea for 'creep feeders' and waterers. Established flock members can and will run newbies off away from food and water. So making sure they have access to food and water without bullying again falls on responsible owners.
So basically space and patience are needed, many times it can mean the owner needs to spend time actively monitoring the integration.
Remember, pecking orders exist in every flock, it needs to, and once established the flock tends to be more peaceful..... we just have to ease that transition time for the flock.
As long as no blood is drawn and the smaller ones are able to eat and drink without too much harassment, I wouldn't worry about it.
Welcome to BYC! @Randudi89
Here's some more tips and links 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.
This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock
Here's some more tips and links 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.
This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock
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