Hello-
I've got a small flock of 4 girls. In the spring, I decided to add two birds. Kept them separate for a month to let them grow & quarantine. Once big enough, I started integrating them, slowly at first. They spent a few hours in with the big girls, then whole days, and eventually once I was sure they were big enough the nights, too. The six have been together for months now. It's like I have 2 flocks - old with old, young with young. The young birds act SUPER panicky around the rest of the flock, particularly one of my barred rocks (she must be the leader).
I keep hoping that they will come together as the new hens start laying. I noticed a big change the last time I added to the flock once egg-laying was established in the new hens. The old girls aren't honestly that bad (aggressive). The odd peck when the new girls come out for a food treat is the worst that happens. It's every chicken for themselves when there's grapes to be had!
The new girls spend their days hiding on the side of their run (a small hallway), or they sneak to the food & water area when the old girls aren't there...basically acting like it's a war zone in there, when it really isn't!
The new birds haven't started laying yet (as my only girls that will lay white eggs, I'll know exactly when they start), and should start within the next few weeks. I can easily see that if they spend their days super stressed out that it might prevent egg-laying. Is there anything I can do to help them integrate or is this a waiting game? I wonder if I should prevent them from being able to go in their little hallway hideout, forcing them to be around the other birds?
Any thoughts would be most welcome. Thanks!
Alexandra (in San Diego, CA)
I've got a small flock of 4 girls. In the spring, I decided to add two birds. Kept them separate for a month to let them grow & quarantine. Once big enough, I started integrating them, slowly at first. They spent a few hours in with the big girls, then whole days, and eventually once I was sure they were big enough the nights, too. The six have been together for months now. It's like I have 2 flocks - old with old, young with young. The young birds act SUPER panicky around the rest of the flock, particularly one of my barred rocks (she must be the leader).
I keep hoping that they will come together as the new hens start laying. I noticed a big change the last time I added to the flock once egg-laying was established in the new hens. The old girls aren't honestly that bad (aggressive). The odd peck when the new girls come out for a food treat is the worst that happens. It's every chicken for themselves when there's grapes to be had!
The new girls spend their days hiding on the side of their run (a small hallway), or they sneak to the food & water area when the old girls aren't there...basically acting like it's a war zone in there, when it really isn't!
The new birds haven't started laying yet (as my only girls that will lay white eggs, I'll know exactly when they start), and should start within the next few weeks. I can easily see that if they spend their days super stressed out that it might prevent egg-laying. Is there anything I can do to help them integrate or is this a waiting game? I wonder if I should prevent them from being able to go in their little hallway hideout, forcing them to be around the other birds?
Any thoughts would be most welcome. Thanks!
Alexandra (in San Diego, CA)
I'm contemplating whether I get one more bird. The girl that is left is doing well, but I'm sad that she doesn't have her buddy any more. However I understand you don't add 'em in ones...so...huh. 
