mean barred rock---what to do?

[backyardbri]

hello,

I have a small flock, started w/ 4 girls alittle over a year ago (1 rhode red, 1 black sex, 1 barred rock & 1 americana). They all get along quite well, in fact I couldn't even tell who was the lead girl...until sun...i was given a beautiful 8 month old buff orph & 2 sweet old english bant. Once introduced to the yard, I soon found that mini (my barred rock) was the head girl. She started beating up my buff, no blood, but afew feathers. The other girls joined in at separte times as well. My poor new buff just can't do anything right. She stays on the highest perch or in her box almost all day. I know all about pecking orders & I really hate it! Why can't they all just get along? I've noticed that my most excepting girl, josephine (rhode red), has even started in on her & has even started in on my bants. I would love some advise from some seasoned verterians. I don't want to have my new buff loose her sweet attitude or my little bants to suffer as well. Do I put all my 4 original girls in time out seperatly, or just my head girl? Both my black sex (emma), & americana (sara) are pretty mean to my buff as well. I haven't named my new girls cause I feel I might have to give them back. They are my pets, the original 4 are gonna stay no matter what. Thanks for any advise.

 

[chookchick]

It is very unlikely to be able to put new chickens in and have them all get along. They need to have a gradual introduction. There is also the matter of quarantine. When I do integrations, I put the newbies in a pen right next to the older ones, and keep them "separate but visible" for 3 weeks. That way, they begin to see each other as part of the same flock. After that, I have a few days of supervised visitation before they are completely put together. Just putting them together risks wounds and even cannibalism. If anyone get's bloody, they need to be pulled out immediately. I'll post an article with more info. With yours, I would pull the newbies out, if you can't house them separately you may need to take them back. Be sure when integrating that you have enough room for everybody, and at least 2 feeders and waterers, so there are no "starve-outs".
Here's more info:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-adding-to-your-flock

 

[rhodiegal]

I agree with chookchick that it is a good idea to house them next to each other for a while before integrating, and it really helps to introduce more than one bird at a time when adding to a pre-existing flock. However, they will still establish a pecking order when put together - even if they have been housed next to each other for a long time. My experience has been that within about 2 weeks they will settle down and all the chickens will be fine together. I also agree that you should put food out elsewhere to make sure they are all eating, not just the boss - I used to throw a handful or two of pellets on the ground in the pen for about a week to make sure they were all eating. After a while, you will notice things calm down as they establish their order.