O.K., I just got 2 EE---I think----pullets last weekend. I already had 21 chickens, 4 of them roos and 7 of the hens are banties, while the remaining hens are full-size. All these previous chickens get along quite well. 5 were purchased last year as chicks, 8 this spring as chicks, and the 7 banties th is summer as 1 yr.-olds. Now I get thes e pullets, and I can't seem to integrate them into the flock----they keep getting picked on. I have tried pretty much everything-----keeping them in with just the banties during the day (as they are the lowest in pecking order); keeping them by themselves during the day, and in a cage in the coop at night so the others can be around them but not hurt them; and waiting until everyone else is roosting in the evening, and then putting them in the coop loose. Nothing seems to be working-----the one pullet has a "bare" butt, and the hens will peck until they draw blood if given a chance. How long will I have to keep these girls in a cage in the coop before this stops? Also, could I cover the one pullets butt in some way to protect it? I've really never had problems integrating before, so this is frustrating. Any suggestions are welcome.
Do you mean you got them last weekend, as in a few days ago? Even if it was a week ago it seems a little soon to intergrate. Personally, I always quarantine the new ones before I let them get near my flock in case they are ill. I don't want to bring any diseases into my coop. When I integrate, I keep them separated for several weeks in a way that they can all see each other but cannot get to each other. Try sectioning off a part of your enclosure just for the new ones for a couple of weeks, then try to integrate again. Good Luck!
A couple of years ago I tried to introduce 4 new hens to my flock. Same thing, the others picked their butts clean and drew blood. Never had this happen before or since. Gave the 4 away to a farmer down the road. All are doing fine and laying well. Crazy chickens!
