New pullets still haven’t found their food

[bittyflock]

I got 2 new pullets a month ago and introduced them to my 2 older hens. There’s been plenty of bullying by the top hen and after a month things have settled, and I’m ready to take away the ad hoc feeder and waterer away so we just have one of each (I have large tubes that I have found are best at keeping full and clean). The problem is, the little ones still can’t seem to find the main food or water. I know they’ve been bullied but by now it seems like they should at least have located the tubes but I’ve never even seen them try. I eventually relent and replace the 2nd set and they always drink a ton of water when I do that. I don’t want to deprive them, but it seems like they’d be a teensy more resourceful. How long do should it take before they figure it out?

 

[Folly's place]

They know where things are, but have to deal with being the bottom of the pecking order newbies and need that extra feeder and waterer longer, maybe forever. It's always best to offer more than one of each anyway.
Mary

 

[Ridgerunner]

How old are those pullets? Are they laying yet?

My goal in integration is that no one gets hurt. That's it, no one gets hurt. It sounds like you accomplished that. Eventually they will all merge into one happy flock but that usually comes with mine after the pullets start to lay. Until then the mature hens outrank them in the pecking order and are usually not shy about enforcing those pecking order rights if the pullets invade their personal space. Mine tend to form two separate sub-flocks until they all mature enough.

One of those pecking order rights is food and water. It is not unusual for more mature hens to intimidate the less mature by bullying them away from food and water. That's why one of the standard recommendations for integration is to supply additional food and water stations so the young can't be kept away from all food and water. My flock almost always has immature juveniles in it, I hatch several times a year. I keep three different food stations and four water stations at all times to avoid these problems.

 

[Mrs. K]

They are very territorial, and age order is important. I really don't think you should take away the extra until the pullets are laying.

At that time, the sub flock will disappear and they will be one flock. But I agree with Folly's place, I tend to have a feeder for every three birds, give or take. I have them set up so that a bird at one station cannot see a bird at a different station.

Mrs K

 

[bittyflock]

Thanks guys, they are 5 months and getting close to the elders size wise, and definitely getting more comfortable. No one is laying right now - I’m looking forward to having eggs again! I replaced the secondary feeder and waterer, so hopefully everyone is happy. Appreciate the advice!