New hens added to flock

[krazychickylady]

I currently have a small backyard flock, and two days ago I added 3 new hens. Prior to adding them to the flock, I kept the new hens in a crate close to the others so that they could become familiar with each other before putting them together.. two days ago I added them... so far I think that the fighting has been pretty minimal and all chickens seem to be eating well and I even got a couple eggs yesterday from the new girls.. However, they are fighting a little over the nest boxes... I went in the coop yesterday and all of my hay was all over the place, so I know that they were not happy. and one of the nest boxes the new girls have roosted in and pooped all in the box. My question is how long will they fight over the nest boxes? Is there anything I should do to prevent it or make it easier? and How do I keep the new girls from roosting there?

 

[chickens r life]

How many chickens do you have total and and how many nesting boxes do you have total? When a chicken sleeps in a nesting box, it normally means (at least for me) that either the other chickens aren't letting it on the roost, when it comes in the coop at nigh, it is too dark for it too find the roost, or their is simply not enough room for the chicken on the roost. As for the fighting, they will eventually work it out.

 

[krazychickylady]

with the 3 new hens, I have 17 hens and 4 roosters ( I know, too many roosters, I need to get rid of at least 2 of them) but here is a pic of my coop.. Its a fairly large coop, and they have a large run attached that they have access too 24/7. I have added 1 more nest box since taking this picture, for a total of 6 nest boxes.

 

[chickens r life]

Six nesting boxes should be enough for that many chickens. My chickens have been together for about a year now and every once and a while they get into a fight about the nesting boxes and who's turn it is next. I'm sure everything will be worked out within a week.

 

[krazychickylady]

Ok thank you... its my first time adding new birds, so its a little new for me

 

[aart]

Do they use the lower nests?
Looks like kind of a tight fight height-wise, but have no scale in pic.
They removal of hay may be from them trying to dig down lower so they have head room to stand when they drop their egg.
....or may just be 'nesting' in the new environs.

Go in after dark and move any birds out of nest and onto roost...it make take a few weeks for them to settle in

 

[krazychickylady]

Yes they, actually use all the boxes , the lowest boxes are their favorite , the top boxes I actually get less eggs . There is about 10 inch opening and once inside the box is about an inch deeper.

 

[krazychickylady]

Well I took your advise and j went down after dark to see who was roosting in my boxes so I could move them... Well to my surprise it was NONE of my new hens....... One of my roosters!!!! Was in the box... Bahahaha... I guess I'll have to do something about him but for now he sure gave me a good laugh... But I'm glad to report that my new girls were settled right in on the roost

 

[chickens r life]

Sounds great!