New Chicken flew at my face!

[aart]

They're you at pint of lay. We have had them for 4 days now,

So you just added them to the flock?
Without any separated introduction time?

I'm guessing that the bird flew at you to get away from the existing birds.

 

[swanfeatures]

Ummm yes. We weren't given any advice on how to introduce them apart from a book we had which suggested removing them at night if there were ongoing issues. We've been mo itoring them closely and apart from a few pecks and chases, there's been no serious issues - so far!
What advice would you give on introducing new ones to the flock?

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Ummm yes. We weren't given any advice on how to introduce them apart from a book we had which suggested removing them at night if there were ongoing issues. We've been mo itoring them closely and apart from a few pecks and chases, there's been no serious issues - so far!
What advice would you give on introducing new ones to the flock?

I would put the new girls in a cage or enclosed thing that protects them. Then I would put them in the chicken run for at least 48 hours so they can get used to each other. I would suggest around a week. Then you can let them maybe free range together, see how they do then try putting them together in the run without a cage, if things seem tense or there is pecking, put them back in the cage. That’s how I would do it.

 

[swanfeatures]

I would put the new girls in a cage or enclosed thing that protects them. Then I would put them in the chicken run for at least 48 hours so they can get used to each other. I would suggest around a week. Then you can let them maybe free range together, see how they do then try putting them together in the run without a cage, if things seem tense or there is pecking, put them back in the cage. That’s how I would do it.

OK, good to know. They've been in since Saturday morning together now, so that chance may have passed us by, but I will bear that in mind next time for sure. How big a cage do you need without being cruel, I just want them to scratch about but free ranging isn't possible where we are.

 

[aart]

What advice would you give on introducing new ones to the flock?

Integration Basics:

It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Integration Basics:

It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

You word things so well!

 

[swanfeatures]

Integration Basics:

It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

This is very helpful, thank you!