Newbie Freak Out!

[gibsterl]

Also having two waterers and feeders separated can be helpful while they figure it out. When I added 2 younger pullets to my flock of 4 hens last year, the younger ones hung out in the coop and watched the others and periodically would venture out (one was braver than the other) , get chased and then retreat. Having food and water in the coop allowed them to eat. Roosting time all were ok, a few pecks here and there and all would settle in. It took about 3 weeks but eventually they all figured out where they fit in and got along.Good luck!

 

[urban orpington]

This weekend I am digging a new foundation for the coop and a detachable roof for the run. Since I am going to be in the yard all day, I think I am finally going to pull the trigger on putting the new girls in with Henrietta.


That way I can be present and make sure they nothing goes beyond pecking.


I think they're ready because last night our new girls were sleeping and Henrietta was roosting as close to them as she could get despite being in a completely separate enclosure. It was adorable. My wife and I high-fived triumphantly.

 

[urban orpington]

AAAHHHH!

Here I go again.


So after they slept so peacefully adjacent to each other last night, my wife and I decided to open the door separating Henny and the new girls.

After a few minutes of peace, Henny cornered the new girls, pecked at them and even used her feet some.

Of course this scared them and they ran like crazy.

I didn't step in and it left me feeling like the awful Jail Guard from movies that sees the beating going on but doesn't break it up.


Is this normal behavior?

 

[gibsterl]

yes....I think as long as you are not seeing blood I would let them work it out

 

[Mrs. K]

don't look unless the screaming gets loud, just kidding, but really the best is to let them work it out. Then it gets over, if you step in and separate them, then they start completely over when you try it again the next time!

No blood, it is just bluff

 

[urban orpington]

The new girls survived the night.


They seem pretty shell-shocked and are hiding under the coop. They might be hungry, Henrietta ate all the food in their bowl. It feels like she's being kind of a brat.

But no one seems bloody....so hopefully everything is working out.

 

[gibsterl]

I would definitely add another feeder and waterer, When I was integrating mine I had a feeder/waterer outside in the run and one in the coop. I gives an opportunity for them to eat without being bullied at least until they all figure things out.

 

[urban orpington]

I would definitely add another feeder and waterer, When I was integrating mine I had a feeder/waterer outside in the run and one in the coop. I gives an opportunity for them to eat without being bullied at least until they all figure things out.

Yeah, we've got two feeding areas set up but our Orpington cornered the two new girls and made them watch her eat all of the food from the bowl they had been eating from. haha.

 

[urban orpington]

We've decided to remove Henrietta from the main coop for a while.


The two new girls spent all weekend cowering in the coop and we felt like that just wasn't healthy. So Henny gets a new home for a little while and Zelda and Tipper can acclimate to the coop without fear.

Henrietta's not super happy about it, but I can already see a difference in the new girls. They're much more spry and active. I think we made the right choice.

 

[yolk-a-motive]

Im interested in this as we have just introduced 2 - 12 week olds to 2-6-month olds and they are squawking like mad and the older ones are chasing the younger ones around and the younger ones hide in the coop. We've put in another bowl of food and water but its hard to watch and hear : (