New hens just not fitting in, need help!

[Dani27]

I recently bought two new hens, around the same age as the rest of my flock (about 7-9 months) and introduced them to my other three hens and two roosters.

For a little background, the three hens I had were laying about 15-19 eggs per week, doing fine.

The two new hens were introduced about six days ago and were laying every other day. However, from the get-go my original three hens have been very territorial and are picking on them as soon as the new two get anywhere close to them. Although the roosters have accepted them and have bred them fine. The two new hens are scared half the time and are staying in the nesting boxes pretty much all day instead of getting out and socializing and now this seems to be affecting egg production. The original hens have only slowed just a little, but the two new ones have now not laid in more than three days.

I really want to make this work, should I just wait it out or is there just not a chance that they're ever going to get along and I should just keep them all separated from now on, each set getting their own rooster? Help!!!

 

[Cuban Longtails]

Take the new hens and put them in an enclosure (a cage or kennel, if you will) near where your other birds congregate during the day. This will protect your new hens from being bullied and allow the other birds to become acclimated to their presence. At night, put them up to roost with the rest of the birds. Hopefully, it will all get sorted out after a week or so.

 

[nellie]

I agree with the above. I introduced my last girl at night by placing her on the roost. Next morning I put her in a wire crate on the floor of the run with food, water etc. I did this for four days then let her out. Yes, there was a few minor pecks but she settled in well and I've had no other probs with her or the established girls.

 

[Dani27]

I guess now my next question would be is that since they've already been together a week with no separation, is it any use still trying the separation method or will they be established in this pattern for the long haul now? Could this still work even though they've already been thrown together for a week?

 

[nellie]

If they are not fighting seriously I'd probably leave them be to sort things out amongst themselves.

If there is real fighting then I'd try keeping them apart for a few days.

Good luck

 

[Dani27]

Today was a fairly good day with them. One of the new ones laid her first egg in four days, so I think the adjustment is starting to happen. They will mingle with the original hens but if they get a little close then the established ones will give a little peck I guess just to remind them who is boss, but I kind of think it is getting a bit better. I hope so as the new hens are soooo friendly and nice (my hens) and the established hens are just hateful little biddies (my boyfriend's hens). I told him he needs to control his hens, he told me I shouldn't have brought hooker hens into the fold. LOL He is just jealous because my new hens (these are all BCMs by the way) are prettier because his are so mean they have pecked each other's tail feathers out and mine have beautiful plumage!