Mean flock

[lmw411]

Hi all!

So, we started with 6 chickens who all grew up together, but all different breeds. Since then, two have passed and we got a new one who was younger than the rest. She had to be quarantined for a bit before being introduced to our already well-established flock (which is 2 roosters and 2 hens). One of the roosters is a bantam, so he is very small and doesn't mess with the hens at all. The other rooster is very large but only likes one of the hens. The two roosters get alone well and don't mind each other (the little one actually is in charge! haha!).
Anyways, the new hen that was quarantined finally grew big enough to introduce to the flock. They were introduced correctly, and she was ultimately put in the coop at night when they were sleeping.
However, they all HATE her. EVERYONE chases her. When let out to free ranger, she is left alone foraging while they all maintain their flock. It is so mean. She is often in the coop roosting all day because they won't let her out into the run. It has been a week now with no relief for the poor girl. Do you have any tips on how to fix this? Will they get over themselves?

Thanks!

 

[duluthralphie]

Hi all!

So, we started with 6 chickens who all grew up together, but all different breeds. Since then, two have passed and we got a new one who was younger than the rest. She had to be quarantined for a bit before being introduced to our already well-established flock (which is 2 roosters and 2 hens). One of the roosters is a bantam, so he is very small and doesn't mess with the hens at all. The other rooster is very large but only likes one of the hens. The two roosters get alone well and don't mind each other (the little one actually is in charge! haha!).
Anyways, the new hen that was quarantined finally grew big enough to introduce to the flock. They were introduced correctly, and she was ultimately put in the coop at night when they were sleeping.
However, they all HATE her. EVERYONE chases her. When let out to free ranger, she is left alone foraging while they all maintain their flock. It is so mean. She is often in the coop roosting all day because they won't let her out into the run. It has been a week now with no relief for the poor girl. Do you have any tips on how to fix this? Will they get over themselves?

Thanks!

It will get better.....most likely... she is the odd man out and bottom of the pecking order. This is normal.

 

[Chickenaddition]

Hello there, Imw411. When you say they were introduced the correct way, what did you mean by that? Please explain how you introduced the new hen to the group as that is really the critical part. It takes time for the new chickens to adjust to a new member and until accepted that chicken is simply an interloper or a stranger danger to them.

 

[lmw411]

Hello there, Imw411. When you say they were introduced the correct way, what did you mean by that? Please explain how you introduced the new hen to the group as that is really the critical part. It takes time for the new chickens to adjust to a new member and until accepted that chicken is simply an interloper or a stranger danger to them.

She was kept in a cage while they free ranged around her for about 4 days, then she free ranged out and about with them for about 2 weeks, then put into the coop one evening.

 

[Acre4Me]

Yes, this can happen. Make sure she has water In the coop. Make sure there are st least 2 locations of feed. If she is not yet laying, that might be why she’s not yet accepted. Apparently they finally are accepted once they start to lay.

We had flock of 7 month olds. Added some chicks (raised by momma hen in part of run, fenced off, then intermingled for about 2 weeks, then added to coop. Never really integrated -chicks hung out with each other. Sold some of them, have 2 “chicks” left, which have yet to lay, still hang out together. They are currently 19 weeks old, and oldest ones are nearly 11months. I’m expecting full intermingling once the 2 “chicks” begin to lay.

 

[duluthralphie]

Yes, this can happen. Make sure she has water In the coop. Make sure there are st least 2 locations of feed. If she is not yet laying, that might be why she’s not yet accepted. Apparently they finally are accepted once they start to lay.

We had flock of 7 month olds. Added some chicks (raised by momma hen in part of run, fenced off, then intermingled for about 2 weeks, then added to coop. Never really integrated -chicks hung out with each other. Sold some of them, have 2 “chicks” left, which have yet to lay, still hang out together. They are currently 19 weeks old, and oldest ones are nearly 11months. I’m expecting full intermingling once the 2 “chicks” begin to lay.

Please note chick brought in by a hen are hardly ever rejected. They simply start with Mom's social standing and move up or down from there on their own.

 

[PirateGirl]

Another thing you can try is splitting the group. You could try putting her with the nicest, or the two nicest flock members. Once she is accepted by them, you could add the remaining birds back into the mix.

 

[Acre4Me]

Please note chick brought in by a hen are hardly ever rejected. They simply start with Mom's social standing and move up or down from there on their own.

Yes, true. My point was that even with nearly 19 weeks of integration even with momma hen, they are still not really fully integrated.

We did have 3 females in first group (the 11month olds) that were bottom of pecking order. Two were HATED by male top cockerel. HATED. At one point were rarely leaving coop, we had to give them water in coop, sometimes feed. Sometimes we got everyone in the coop, and let them stay out for an additional 30 min so they could run, scratch and eat feed. Once chicks were added, the stress on them lessened bc chicks were lowest in pecking order.

 

[lmw411]

Another thing you can try is splitting the group. You could try putting her with the nicest, or the two nicest flock members. Once she is accepted by them, you could add the remaining birds back into the mix.

Ironically enough the "nicest" one is at the top of the pecking order! She is pretty chill- just likes her spot at the top

 

[PirateGirl]

Ironically enough the "nicest" one is at the top of the pecking order! She is pretty chill- just likes her spot at the top

So maybe if she accepts the newbie first then everyone else will fall in line.