New chickens

[Seaecho]

I'm getting 3-4 bantam chickens from one breeder. Since they'll all be introduced at the same time, I'm assuming there won't be trouble amongst them or bullying, since no one will be the top dog?

 

[Meg-in-MT]

They will still find their pecking order and may pick on a weak one. Just make sure to keep an eye on them Big bullies usually show up when you're integrating older flocks.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Are you introducing to an existent flock or are they your flock?
If they're to be added to a flock, it's best to quarantine the new birds for at least a month.

 

[Seaecho]

These chickens will be the flock. I have no chickens currently. These are older pullets and hens.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Then you're good Enjoy your flock!

 

[aart]

These chickens will be the flock. I have no chickens currently. These are older pullets and hens.

Tho easier than integrating into an existing flock.....
....unless they all lived together without other birds at the breeders,
they will need to establish a pecking order.
With plenty of space, 'hiding' places, and multiple feed/water stations, it should go OK. Here's some tips that might help.

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.

 

[sbhkma]

Tho easier than integrating into an existing flock.....
Here's some tips that might help.

Integration Basics:

It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
The more space, the better.
Multiple feed/water stations.
Places for the new birds to hide

Heed this advice. Best integration tips I ever read and it sure helped me with my new birds!

 

[ChickNanny13]

I'm to "chicken" to attempt intergration and since I'm limited by space & location to 4 - 6 hens, I just rotate what I have/get

 

[Seaecho]

Really good post, aart! I do have tree stumps and perches that will be in the pen, and more than one food and water source available. I don't, however, have any hiding places. That is one thing I'll have to figure out. I do have access to branches, and I could put those in various areas of the run so a picked-on bird could be out of sight if it wants. I was hoping that adding them all at once to an unfamiliar environment would eliminate dominance problems and it does with some types of animals, but I see from reading these posts that it's not always the way it works.