New Chicken Pecking Order

[kturnquist]

I hope this is the right category for this. So my husband and I lost one of our chickens this week and bought a replacement. After doing some research, I discovered that new chickens are best introduced in pairs so that the bullying can be spread between the two and they'll have a buddy in the meantime until the flock accepts them. So I went out and bought another chicken. Well the original girls have accepted the second new chicken I bought but the top chicken still chases the first replacement it's only been a few days since they've been free ranging together but I'm hoping the chasing will eventually stop? The new chicken never stands up for herself, always runs away so it's not like she's disrupting the pecking order. I just want to know if the boss lady chicken will eventually give up and let her in the flock. The outcast chicken currently just hangs out by herself while the other chickens all forage together. It's a little sad

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It will take a long while. They basically need to forget the one is newer. Any new birds are generally seen as intruders to be chased away. As long as the one can get away I would let them work it out.

 

[aart]

The new chicken never stands up for herself, always runs away so it's not like she's disrupting the pecking order.

The fact that she's staying away from the others is the pecking order.
Do they all go into the coop at night?
Knowing more about your setup, dimensions and pics of coop and run,
would help us help you.

Oh, and, Welcome to BYC!
Where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

Here's some tips on....
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.

This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

 

[WindingRoad]

I hope this is the right category for this. So my husband and I lost one of our chickens this week and bought a replacement. After doing some research, I discovered that new chickens are best introduced in pairs so that the bullying can be spread between the two and they'll have a buddy in the meantime until the flock accepts them. So I went out and bought another chicken. Well the original girls have accepted the second new chicken I bought but the top chicken still chases the first replacement it's only been a few days since they've been free ranging together but I'm hoping the chasing will eventually stop? The new chicken never stands up for herself, always runs away so it's not like she's disrupting the pecking order. I just want to know if the boss lady chicken will eventually give up and let her in the flock. The outcast chicken currently just hangs out by herself while the other chickens all forage together. It's a little sad

Took about 2 months for my 2 SLW to intergrate. My ISAB still gives them a little peck now and then. Not unlike toddlers. The 2 SLW can eat out of the same pan now with my BO and ISAB. They actually snuggle on the roosts at night. Black, orange, black. Cute.

 

[kturnquist]

It will take a long while. They basically need to forget the one is newer. Any new birds are generally seen as intruders to be chased away. As long as the one can get away I would let them work it out.

Yes she is able to get away. They free roam in the backyard. I'm sure she doesn't care as much as I do that she's off foraging by herself while the other chickens stick together haha.

 

[kturnquist]

The fact that she's staying away from the others is the pecking order.
Do they all go into the coop at night?
Knowing more about your setup, dimensions and pics of coop and run,
would help us help you.

Oh, and, Welcome to BYC!
Where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!
View attachment 1655743



Here's some tips on....
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.

This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

Yes they're all in the coop at night. We just installed a roost so they're still figuring out how that works. I've got two who slept on the roost last night and the other 3 piled into one of the nesting boxes. We have a tiny run that we don't really use as we let them free roam during the day. So there's plenty of space for them all to explore and not fight over resources. But whenever the new chicken tries to forage with the others, she gets chased away by the Barred Rock (top chicken). I hope it won't always be this way but if it's not a problem, I won't worry about it.

 

[feathermaid]

How old are each group of chickens? Adolescents seem to be a lot more aggressive when their hormones start kicking in. If they're still learning how to use the roosts and not laying yet, you'll probably want to block off the nest boxes until they start showing signs of being close to POL. You want them to roost at night, not sleep in the nests. That is a bad habit that can lead to crusty bottoms and poopy eggs.

Pecking order establishment can be brutal and last for weeks. Any time even 1 bird is added or removed, the pecking order starts all over again. Multiple food and water stations out of view from each other will help and the free ranging you're doing is probably the best way. If they do have to be confined to the run, maybe a temporary separation would be helpful: See But Don’t Touch

 

[kturnquist]

How old are each group of chickens? Adolescents seem to be a lot more aggressive when their hormones start kicking in. If they're still learning how to use the roosts and not laying yet, you'll probably want to block off the nest boxes until they start showing signs of being close to POL. You want them to roost at night, not sleep in the nests. That is a bad habit that can lead to crusty bottoms and poopy eggs.

Pecking order establishment can be brutal and last for weeks. Any time even 1 bird is added or removed, the pecking order starts all over again. Multiple food and water stations out of view from each other will help and the free ranging you're doing is probably the best way. If they do have to be confined to the run, maybe a temporary separation would be helpful: See But Don’t Touch

I'll just take the boxes out then. We just put them in but they still have a few months until the oldest ones will lay is my guess. The youngest chickens we have are maybe 10 weeks old? The older ones are around 12 weeks old? I'm just guessing based on how long we've had them and how big they are.

 

[feathermaid]

I'll just take the boxes out then. We just put them in but they still have a few months until the oldest ones will lay is my guess. The youngest chickens we have are maybe 10 weeks old? The older ones are around 12 weeks old? I'm just guessing based on how long we've had them and how big they are.

Ok awesome! I hope I didn't sound bossy, I was just trying to make it easier on you in the future. Once chickens get set in their ways it can be difficult to change their mind. Just wanna get them on the right track to start. If you notice squatting behavior when you reach down to pet their back, that means they're close to laying and will be ready for the nest boxes to open back up for business.
Their age difference doesn't seem like too much, they should be getting along fine soon. They're just approaching that age where all craziness breaks out anyway (chasing and chest bumping) as long as no blood is drawn, it'll work itself out.

 

[kturnquist]

Ok awesome! I hope I didn't sound bossy, I was just trying to make it easier on you in the future. Once chickens get set in their ways it can be difficult to change their mind. Just wanna get them on the right track to start. If you notice squatting behavior when you reach down to pet their back, that means they're close to laying and will be ready for the nest boxes to open back up for business.
Their age difference doesn't seem like too much, they should be getting along fine soon. They're just approaching that age where all craziness breaks out anyway (chasing and chest bumping) as long as no blood is drawn, it'll work itself out.

You didn't sound bossy! Thank you for your help being a first time chicken owner I have a lot of questions so thanks again! I definitely don't want any problems with sleeping in the boxes so whatever I can do to fix that, I will.
The chasing happens mostly when I first let them out in the morning. It's pretty funny when they've got their wings sticking out and they're running around. But after a while they settle and start foraging. There is still some chasing of the ousted chicken but it's not much and she has lots of room to escape