So last night, around 10pm, we came home with 5 new hens to add to our existing flock of 6 birds (4 confirmed hens, 2 unknowns as of yet). Existing birds, except for one barred rock, are all less than a year old. New birds all just turned 5 months. It was night time, we figured the best time to introduce them. It took about 2 minutes for the new birds to find their way to the roosts with very little fan fare. Everything quieted down and off to sleep they went.
I woke up early this morning on purpose, so I could let them out of the coop and into the run. THAT is when the fun began
Almost immediately the pecking order began to be reshuffled. There was a little pecking, some words were exchanged. A few even stood beak to beak, fluffing out their feathers and had a staring contest. Now, I knew this would not go completely smoothly, and more than it would if you introduced a new bunch of strangers to my house to share my room with me and the wife. I know there is going to be some confrontation while they work out who's the boss.
But I guess my question is, how much of this is normal? When does it become unwanted violence, and not just chickens working out a new pecking order. One of the agressors this morning was my older barred rock, who, except for a little "hey, get away from my watermelon" yelp has never shown any sign of aggressive behavior. I know I need to let this progress, but can anyone give me an idea of what is normal and what isn't.
Oh, and my new birds are SOOOO pretty. Pictures later when the sun comes out!
I woke up early this morning on purpose, so I could let them out of the coop and into the run. THAT is when the fun began

Almost immediately the pecking order began to be reshuffled. There was a little pecking, some words were exchanged. A few even stood beak to beak, fluffing out their feathers and had a staring contest. Now, I knew this would not go completely smoothly, and more than it would if you introduced a new bunch of strangers to my house to share my room with me and the wife. I know there is going to be some confrontation while they work out who's the boss.
But I guess my question is, how much of this is normal? When does it become unwanted violence, and not just chickens working out a new pecking order. One of the agressors this morning was my older barred rock, who, except for a little "hey, get away from my watermelon" yelp has never shown any sign of aggressive behavior. I know I need to let this progress, but can anyone give me an idea of what is normal and what isn't.
Oh, and my new birds are SOOOO pretty. Pictures later when the sun comes out!
Last edited: