New Hens

[jdline]

I recently added new hens to my existing flock. My girls are about 4 years old, new hens are around 1. I had the new hens with the old in a separate crate for 4 days then snuck them in at night. Its been 2 days and my old flock still won't let the new girls have access to food and water. How long will this go on? Will they work it out eventually and if not what can I do?

 

[sourland]

It will take time. Provide enough feed and water stations to assure that the new birds are getting enough to eat and drink. Feed and water deprivation can cause serious problems.

 

[rosemarythyme]

You need multiple feeders/waterers, optimally with some clutter hiding them from view so birds eating can't easily be spotted by others, as well as sufficient hiding places overall to let the new birds get around without being cornered by the other birds. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

Also I know some folks love the idea of tossing them in overnight but I'm not convinced that's the safest way to do it. Integration typically takes weeks (4 days is pretty short) and it's normal and expected for the existing birds to try to drive away the intruders.

 

[aart]

Also I know some folks love the idea of tossing them in overnight but I'm not convinced that's the safest way to do it. Integration typically takes weeks (4 days is pretty short) and it's normal and expected for the existing birds to try to drive away the intruders.

Can work but most often does not. Yes, 4 days not long enough.

Here's some more(and some redundant) tips about.....
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.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/