need advice on a recent addition to my flock!

[kaileen20]

Last week one of my 15 week old pullets passed away.. I think she tried to roost on a piece of wood board the was propped up on the fence and it fell on her while I was at work. I didn't think that was going to happen.. so today I went and got another hen, a Rhode island red, she's five month old. Well I put her in the run with my older girls (5 of them) and they all attacked her!! There was blood shed.. so I took the new girl out and put her with my 4 15 week old pellets.. is this a good idea? How long should I keep them separated? I don't want to keep her by herself.. she did okay with my pulleys only because they run from her. I had to put her in the coop with the pulleys because she was hiding outside behind the coop when it got dark, can anyone give me any advice about this situation? I'm kind of stressing out.. Thank you!!

 

[Mrs. K]

I think I would leave her with the pullets, if they are 15 weeks, I am assuming that you will be adding them to the adult flock in a couple weeks. Then add the whole group. Adding a single bird in a small established flock is the most difficult integrations. Chickens see strange chickens as danger and will attack to protect their territory.

But if the other pullets run from her, they will calm down pretty soon, and that should work. It will go better when you add a group to a group.

Mrs K

 

[KNelly]

I'm pretty new to having chickens but I was always told to add them to the coop at night when the girls are sleeping. I've added a single chicken To the flock as young as 8 weeks and as old as 32 on several different occasion and have always done it this way and never had the chickens shed bloo or be overly aggressive. They will peck at the new chicks the next day once or twice if the new one tries to get near them but leave them alone otherwise. Either it works or I'm blessed with some super friendly girls.

 

[keesmom]

Yeah, chickens don't like strangers and will attack them. Integration takes time and is best begun with fences - wire crates, chicken wire, garden fencing, etc. Separate the 2 groups with some sort of divider so they can see but not hurt each other. After a few days remove it. Most times things settle quickly after a squabble or 2.