New (ish) hens

[HenGirl805]

I am pet sitting these hens and they were being abused by the other hens. So, I have them at my house now and we are going to keep them, yes the owner said it was okay. The other hens were plucking their feathers until they bleed. I currently have 5 hens, and I need to know how I can introduce them so the bullying doesn't continue. I really don't want the new chickens to be abused by my babies, any suggestions????

 

[HenGirl805]

The 2 new hens are currently in a separate coop and I want them to be able to share coops and runs so I don't have to worry about double the mess and labor, especially because winter where i live is rough!!!!

 

[aart]

Knowing the dimensions of your coop and runs(with pics!) and the ages of all birds involved would help us help you, but...
Here's some...
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.

 

[HenGirl805]

The coop we made, diy style, is large enough for about 9 hens to have 3sq. ft. in the run. My hens are going be 2 in april and i am not sure about the two new ones, maybe 1 or just a few months. Both groups are full grown though. I don't know the dimensions right now, so i will try to get them to you soon.

 

[HenGirl805]

This is not the best picture.... this was from before it was finished. To give a size estimate, the coop, if i were to guess is about 4 by a little over 6 ish. and the run is about 12 by 6 ish. Like i said, not sure but thats my estimate. (The picture definitely makes it look smaller than it is)

 

[aart]

Looks pretty good.
Not bad space for 7 birds....might be a bit tight for integration tho.

You have another coop/run that the new birds are in now?
Any chance you can move it next to this one after quarantine?

Also....
Where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[HenGirl805]

the two new hens are in a make-shift container coop thing in our garden... and the coop and garden are fairly close to each other

i live in Western PA