Old ladies scaring new ones!

[ahmedamir]

Hey guys, I bought a pair of layer hens and a rooster around a month ago. Then I kept on adding more hens and bought another rooster. Now I have total 8 of them including two roosters. The problem is, two of my oldest ladies are being very much possessive . They scare off other hens, while anyone else, apart from the other of the two, tries to eat or drink. They hit them with their beaks either on their head or on the body. I, at first separated them, but, than my brother asked to put them together that they will eventually neutralize. But, after couple of days they were still doing the same, and I feared that other would get sick or something due to hunger or thirst, so, I again separated them. I have shortage of space, I do have space but I have prepared a bigger coop for them and wanted all of them to be in the same. Now, I am wondering about their behavior? Why they are doing it to the new ones? and why the two are comfortable with each other? Any ideas? Thanks for your time. I really find this site and the information shared by the users very useful. Thanks

 

[BunkyB]

The hardest part of introducing new hens to an already established flock is the pecking order. Yes the old girls will want to make sure the newbies know they are boss Pecking may go on for a while until the rules are established. I would try it for a while longer, just make sure the other girls ARE getting some water and feed.

Allow the pecking order to go a little while longer. Things may or should calm down. One thing is to check the new ones for blood being drawn. If the newbies get injured to the point of bleeding then remove them right away. Let the wounds heal...the rest is really up to you and what you decide to do. Decision making this way always sucks too...do I rid the old girls and keep the yungins...do I let them peck it out till someone gets killed or bashed up... No room for separation makes it hard, yes, and so is the decision you have to make to solve the issue.

Wow, shut-up Steve... I wish you luck and hope the pecking order gets established real soon.... Steve

 

[aggiemae]

The chickens can't be in two places at once so I make sure there were (at least) two food and water stations. If the chickens are in a run put them as far apart as possible. After that I just keep an eye on things but as long as no blood is shed I try to let them sort stuff out.

 

[ahmedamir]

Steve: Thanks for the response. I guess you're absolutely right. Though, there ain't any blood, yet. But one of my chicken got her head bald due to the pecking . I feared, I am gonna see blood soon on here head.

 

[ahmedamir]

The chickens can't be in two places at once so I make sure there were (at least) two food and water stations. If the chickens are in a run put them as far apart as possible. After that I just keep an eye on things but as long as no blood is shed I try to let them sort stuff out.

Thanks mate for the time. Yes, I put two of each station for water and feed. I guess you were asking it when they were in single coop right?
Anyways, even though the two stations were there, they were pecking at anyone trying to get food or water from any of the stations. Coop ain't very big, roughly 3x10 sq. feet.

 

[binza1979]

Pecking order needs to be established. Like others have said...let them be together as long as there isn't blood involved. I have successfully integrated very small bantams with very large girls. The key is time.

Good luck!