Newbie needs help

[mviera101]

Yes , it is difficult, they are tricky and territorial creatures. I recently introduced newbies 2 Mo BR's to my 2.5 year olds. I used plastic fencing and kept them separate for about 2 weeks. One day, I found them all on the same side. The littles stay together and the bigger gals stick together. I supervise treat handouts, but there have been no big squabbles.

 

[Dgrissy]

Tight space for integration.

This might help:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock.71997/

As might these 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/

Thank you for the info. tight space meaning the coop itself? the pen is a pretty good size area for 3 I believe. I will look through this information. Thanks so much

 

[SulkyBantam]

yes just one feather, she never acted like that with the previous chicken they pecked a little but nothing cannibalistic in nature.

I think then cannibalism is not a problem, just bullying.
You may have to grit you teeth, put them together in as large a space as you have and see what happens. They have to get used to each other after all! If you try it, i'd be eager to hear the results.

 

[Dgrissy]

I think then cannibalism is not a problem, just bullying.
You may have to grit you teeth, put them together in as large a space as you have and see what happens. They have to get used to each other after all! If you try it, i'd be eager to hear the results.

I will definitely follow up thanky you for your help

 

[SulkyBantam]

Your welcome, good luck + fingers crossed!

 

[aart]

Thank you for the info. tight space meaning the coop itself? the pen is a pretty good size area for 3 I believe. I will look through this information. Thanks so much

Mostly the coop.

 

[Dgrissy]

Hi everyone, I am new to keeping chickens and this site. I am hoping to get some advise from the experts here. My husband and I started with 2 chickens 8 months ago and just lost 1. 3 days later we picked up 2 same size as our existing chicken. The existing chicken is not happy about these two coming in. It is a good size pen with a coop that is meant for 3. she is chasing them around the pen and they are hiding not fighting back. she pecked and pulled then ate the feather from the one new chicken. (is that normal?) I don't know which chicken to feel bad for. Maybe im not cut out for this too soft. Any advice is appreciated.

Hello again. I wanted to update my situation so I can once again hopefully get some feedback. I hope I am doing this right....
I seperated the chickens with dog crate and even used a portable dog playyard to give the new chickens a little pen area of their own. My Honey Pepper has gone into their play yard causing them to jump up on the fence and the top of the crate and then she joined them just to chase them. I have tried letting them free range a little bit but she chases them away. Mostly just one, the other is very quiet and tries to stay out of site, but the other She could be across the yard and see the new one foraging in a spot and she will come running full speed to take the spot over. i realize she is being territorial and show ownership of anything and everything in the pen. Seems normal to me but I am afraid the new ones won't get enough to eat. The new one flies out of the pen and stays close by near the edge of the woods.
I finally locked Honey into the coop by herself so the others can enjoy time in the pen without being chased and to eat. I am planning to get another coop I can put the new ones in and hopefully eventually all together. I just hope I am not messing with the pecking order by doing this but I am having a hard time seperating them. and when they are in the pen together she is chasing them and mostly the one right out of the pen. Any thoughts, suggestions and feedback is greatly appreciated.