My hens are very mean to new the new chickens

[RetroCoop]

We started with nine red sexlinks about a year old in our coop. They had been with other hens before we got them. They are friendly to us and are laying very week. We have had them about a month now. They have lots of room and plenty of laying boxes and multiple roost. Just last Fridays we added a younger group of four bantam Cochins and one roo. They are not getting along at all. We have plenty of feeders and waterers. The problem is, segregation forced by my red sexlinks. They will not let my bantams out of the coop. They are staying on the roost all day. If they try to come out, one of my red sexlinks runs them back into the coop. I am so upset right now and don't know what to do. Please help.

Thanks,
Beth

 

[Happy Chooks]

It's normal for new birds to not come out of the coop for a while. When I integrate babies, they stay in the coop for 2-3 weeks before venturing outside. Give them time, and it should settle down. Just make sure you have enough room for the new birds to get away.

 

[RetroCoop]

Thanks so much!

 

[browning6]

It's normal for new birds to not come out of the coop for a while. When I integrate babies, they stay in the coop for 2-3 weeks before venturing outside. Give them time, and it should settle down. Just make sure you have enough room for the new birds to get away.

X100

I have a soft spot for my chickens and hate for them to get picked on by the older girls. But they will aclimatize and in a couple weeks be fine. I had the same thing happen and now they are all fine. I have to just leave and realize they are going to pick on the new guy and as Happy chooks said "As long as they can get away don't worry."

Whoever came up with the term pecking order obviously watched chickens. They will decide who is on top and every spot to the bottom.

My favorite is to watch the for the fearless "rogue" chicks. My brother has a RIR pullet that is about 18 weeks now. He says she is in the middle of every feeding frenzy. The other hens are pecking her, and trying to drive her off constantly. And even though she doesnt fight back he said she never even acknowledges the pain and never leaves until the goods are eaten. I think that is pretty fun to watch.