New flock introduction

[Mgiuliano23]

Hi there. New chicken keeper here. Trying to integrate .3 polish chickens (1 rooster and 2 pullets) into my established flock of 4 (1 buff orpington and 3 golden comets). All are roughly the same age of about 6-7 months. The problem is of course bullying. I have read and understand that some pecking is normal as they are re-establishing their pecking order, but our situation seems to be more disheartening than what I've read. The new flock of the polish chickens are incredibly submissive and docile. They do not stand up for themselves when pecked. They just scream and run away. They seem to always be hiding when around our established girls. The 2 polish pullets hide in the nesting box with their heads tucked away. One of my golden comets will occasionally go in there just to peck and pull at the polish pullets feathers.It's incredibly hard for me to watch.

For context, the old and new flocks are separated while I am at work and cannot supervise. They can still see each other though.

I just put the one that goes in the nesting boxes to bully into bully jail.

I know this will take more time and this is only day 3. Just want confirmation that I'm taking the best steps that I can and also opening the floor to any advice or suggestions. Integrating flocks are not for the faint of heart!

 

[Mgiuliano23]

Should I expect that they'll never get along bc the polish are so incredibly docile and different?

 

[rosemarythyme]

This is day 3 since they met, or day 3 of face to face integration? How long did you do see but no touch before that, if the latter?

Also Polish (because of their appearance and being more docile) aren't the ideal choice for integrating into a flock of standard birds. You may end up having to house them separately.

 

[Mgiuliano23]

This is day 3 since they met, or day 3 of face to face integration? How long did you do see but no touch before that, if the latter?

Also Polish (because of their appearance and being more docile) aren't the ideal choice for integrating into a flock of standard birds. You may end up having to house them separately.

I have been letting them see no touch most of the day while I am at work, then for a little in the evening I do supervised face to face integration.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I have been letting them see no touch most of the day while I am at work, then for a little in the evening I do supervised face to face integration.

Still doesn't answer if you had them strictly in see but no touch first or not? Sounds like no. Not sure if there's any point in going back and doing it now, but if they've only been meeting for 3 days it's very normal for the existing birds to defend their territory.

Also any photos or a description of your layout? Integration definitely favors extra space, extra clutter and spreading out of resources.

 

[PimsGarden]

I've read to take the chicken being bullied into the look but don't touch jail for a couple weeks and then introduce. Not separating the bully. That's what I've read is the most successful method. My integration was similar, but after a week or two of look but don't touch it was successful and I didn't have a bully issue, just the occasional peck to keep each other in line.

 

[Rob and Sheila]

I have the same issue with my 8 hens (2 each buff Orpingtons, Rhode Islands, and Dominiques) and am unclear of the current consensus above. I daily put the Buff Orpingtons rooster in a 'look but don't touch' small coop inside our regular 12'x20' run. However, after 2 days of look but don't touch the hens still peck at him and make his feet and comb bleed. Any ideas will be greatly appreciated.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I have the same issue with my 8 hens (2 each buff Orpingtons, Rhode Islands, and Dominiques) and am unclear of the current consensus above. I daily put the Buff Orpingtons rooster in a 'look but don't touch' small coop inside our regular 12'x20' run. However, after 2 days of look but don't touch the hens still peck at him and make his feet and comb bleed. Any ideas will be greatly appreciated.

It's not look but don't touch if they can peck him and make him bleed. You need him behind a more secure fence if they can reach through and harm him.

2 days is only the start of a look but don't touch period, 1-2 weeks is more what you're aiming for.