New chicken to coop

[lox18]

Huge problems!! I have one chook,5mths old, brought a second one that is 15weeks. The second we put them together the elder one pecked the hell out of it. Let them run the yard and the younger one was petrified. Tried to put them in the coop together today and the younger one froze in the corner whilst the older one pecked it!! Had to seperate them again. How long does this go for? Ideas? Stressing me out

 

[Judy]

As long as it takes, I'm afraid. Sometimes there is barely a peck, sometimes an all out war. If the younger one is also smaller, that contributes to the problem. You may have to make a separate pen so that they are next to each other but separated by a fence, for a few weeks. this article talks about all the aspects of introducing new chickens, with some good hints near the end for the introduction:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/803815/integrating-two-groups/0_20

 

[psychoroo]

I have a flock of eight birds about 20 weeks old. I also have eight that are about 5 weeks old. I put the younger pullets in the run in a large wire dog kennel wrapped in 1/2 inch hardware cloth for a week. When I let the hens out to free range I would let the young ones out ino the run. After a week I let the little ones out. One of my reds chased them around the run for a day or two but I had places in the run they could go and hide in. My "mystery" chick (came with the others from Meyer) was much smaller than the others and when it got too rough I separated her out with another chick (for company) and put them back in the brooder. While two are still in the brooder, all the others are doing well and they all get along and sleep peacefully in the coop together.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC! Glad you joined us!

 

[roostersandhens]

Inroduce them through a wire pen so they cant peck eachother but they can meet. Then after youve done that once your ready to put them togeather put the young one in there at night.

 

[lox18]

Thanks guys for ur help. We literally have a coop in the backyard and if we seperate them they can't see each other so going off what everyone has written I'm going to have to go get some chicken wife and make a little fenced area so that they can see each other during the day. If I had of known about this I probably wouldn't have gotten the second chook. Stressing me out

 

[Judy]

If it makes you feel any better, you did a kind thing getting a second one, in spite of the hassle. They are a flock animal and really don't do well alone. Here's hoping the next introductions go more smoothly!