Need advice on flock integration that is not going well

[melissamc]

I could really use some advice on chickens that aren't getting along. We had 12 pullets that we raised from chicks and we bought 3 barred rocks 5.5 weeks ago, about the same age as our flock. We kept them segregated for about a week and a half, and then set their pen up next to the others for about 1.5 weeks. We let them out to free range a couple times at the same time with minimal issues, though they mostly stayed away from one another. About two weeks ago we built a new coop and put all the chickens in it at night together. There has been fighting ever since, day and night. Now the barred rocks jump out of the run every chance they get because the others chickens won't let them eat from the food container. I thought by now they'd have figured this new pecking order out but it is clearly not improving. Any advice?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

The only time I integrated chicks to chicks it took a long time before the younger ones, by I think a week, were accepted as part of the group. I believe about 2 months. So you may need to go back to your basics and separate out the barred rocks at times when you can't keep an eye on things, and give it more time.

 

[melissamc]

The only time I integrated chicks to chicks it took a long time before the younger ones, by I think a week, were accepted as part of the group. I believe about 2 months. So you may need to go back to your basics and separate out the barred rocks at times when you can't keep an eye on things, and give it more time.

Thank you! I may need to do this. I tried penning the one that seemed to be the biggest bully (I put her in a crate inside the run for the day), and that helped temporarily for about a day but then another chicken started doing more of the bullying. Tonight, I took the food container outside of the run and let the barred rocks eat in front of the other chickens who were all still in the run (but I don't think that did anything except made sure the BRs got some feed).

 

[Folly's place]

Add more feeders and waterers, in separate locations, and add hiding places, like things that the birds can get out of sight behind, but not be trapped in a blind corner. More time out there free ranging together, and then let the new birds roost in their separate area as long as necessary.
I'm integrating three separate batches of chick this summer, and things just take time.
Mary

 

[MissChick@dee]

The only time I integrated chicks to chicks it took a long time before the younger ones, by I think a week, were accepted as part of the group. I believe about 2 months. So you may need to go back to your basics and separate out the barred rocks at times when you can't keep an eye on things, and give it more time.

I kept my new chickens in a pen within the pen for about 10 weeks. Chickens don’t like change and it sounds like the cat’s ready out of the bag. New coop new members that’s a lot. To go back now....I’m not so sure that would be good ( more stress) watch that there isn’t major injuries (then separate them). Set up a few feeding stations and water for those being bullied that’s very important. New pecking orders are never fun. Good luck!

 

[melissamc]

Add more feeders and waterers, in separate locations, and add hiding places, like things that the birds can get out of sight behind, but not be trapped in a blind corner. More time out there free ranging together, and then let the new birds roost in their separate area as long as necessary.
I'm integrating three separate batches of chick this summer, and things just take time.
Mary

Thanks! Will definitely add some additional feeders and waterers. They were running under the coop to hide until they discovered that they can just jump the fence and get out and then they switched to that.

 

[melissamc]

I kept my new chickens in a pen within the pen for about 10 weeks. Chickens don’t like change and it sounds like the cat’s ready out of the bag. New coop new members that’s a lot. To go back now....I’m not so sure that would be good ( more stress) watch that there isn’t major injuries (then separate them). Set up a few feeding stations and water for those being bullied that’s very important. New pecking orders are never fun. Good luck!

Thank you! I don't want to cause them any additional stress. I will definitely add additional feeders and waterers. My husband was talking about just getting a BR roster and making them their own little flock, but after seeing how well this is not going, I don't even want to think about adding another bird at this point in time!

 

[aart]

About two weeks ago we built a new coop

How big is coop, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help immensely.

How old are these birds?

I don't even want to think about adding another bird at this point in time!

Good thinking!

 

[Ridgerunner]

I'll also ask about coop size and run size in feet. When they are free ranging (space is not an issue) you say you don't have a problem. It's when they are confined that you do so it sure sounds like room is an issue.

Age differences could be a factor, or more technically levels of maturity. More mature birds sometimes pick on less mature birds, especially when they are closely confined. Sometimes it is not an issue at all. With them being about the same age I'll guess the BR are the younger. Just knowing their ages might help us some.

Since they have learned they can fly out of the run you may have a hard habit to break. Their ability to fly out of a run has a lot more to do with how badly they want to rather than how high they can fly. Most chickens can fly a lot better than many people think but they are generally not that hard to contain because they don't want to fly out. Height, dimensions, and a photo of your run fencing may give us some ideas.

I strongly agree that getting another chicken is not the answer. it will just add to your issues. It is tremendously likely that most of these problems will go away when they all mature, which for pullets is normally about the time they start to lay. The problem is getting them through the transition to adulthood. Without knowing particulars of coop and run space and layout, one general suggestion is to feed in widely separated locations, as far apart as you can manage. Inside the coop and a couple in the run might be good. Give them places in the coop and the run to hide under, behind, or up high. Don't create traps where they can get cornered. Raise things up with cinder blocks maybe, lean a piece of plywood against a fence or wall but fasten it so the wind doesn't blow if down. Hopefully your roosts are high enough so they don't get their feet pecked from birds on the ground. Some people carry it so far as to put a table in there with food and water on it as a separate food and water station. Be creative. The idea is to break the line of sight and improve the quality of the room you do have.

Good luck!