Merging chickens

[Cliff Chicks]

I have an Easter Egger that has stopped laying after I found she was eating her egg. I put golf balls in the nesting box, the Buff Orpington is still laying one per day. I've merged two babies so now I have four hens, do they take a long time to get comfortable with the pecking order? Also, the two babies just started sleeping in the run instead of the coop, were they kicked out of the coop?

 

[Anne4596]

Your pullets will be able to integrate into the flock once they are big enough to defend themselves. The method of integration is a controversial topic. However, do it incorrectly, and you could end up with dead newcomers. The pecking order is thrown into chaos every time you add or lose chickens, this will happen no matter what. The little ones were probably kicked out of the coop. Try locking up the little ones in with the bigger chickens in the coop after dark. The chickens cannot see each other, and theoretically they should not attack one another. Do this and eventually they will go in on their own. Good luck!

 

[Cliff Chicks]

Thank you so much for your response...last night I just opened the other coop door and allowed them to use both coops and they slept 2 & 2. Nobody was out in the open fenced in area so I'm happy with that, I just thought that they would like each other by now. The babies (4 mo) hang together and the adults (1 yr) hang together. As long as they lay eggs I'm happy if their happy. I'm so glad one of my babies didn't have to die in the merge.

 

[Cliff Chicks]

One of my hens are now eating her eggs, I've put golf balls in the nesting box for about 2 wks and it's not working.