Pecking order and adding new chickens

[OffBeatBetty]

Well, it's officially been two weeks since I added my 3 younger chickens to the older ones. They are all in harmony and free-range together all day. Sometimes Gretta still chases the younger ones, but that's to be expected since she's older and dominant. My rooster is very protective of all of his girls, young and old. They all sleep in the coop together and seem to be very happy. It was definitely a stressful ordeal for everyone (me included) for about a week, but it seemed the more I interfered, the longer it was taking so I just let them figure it out. I still kept a vigilant eye on them and would walk toward them if things looked like they were getting out of hand... since they seem me as the "head chicken" they would stop squabbling as soon as I made my presence known. But I stopped physically touching or separating them and the whole pecking order thing seemed to work out quicker. The key was making sure that I had several food and water dishes all over the run and the yard. I gave ample treats and made sure they had plenty of protein so there would be less feather plucking. So, basically, it's difficult for about a week and then they seem to settle down. For anyone else out there adding new chickens, just hang in there! It's worth it!

 

[SpazzyChick]

Thank you so much for your response and I am glad to hear that the divider wasn't a wrong move on my part. I was beginning to lose hope with these two, but I really would like for at least a peaceful coexistance between them, if not a perfect one. I wouldn't feel right keeping Pea here if she was frightened of Moppy all the time, but I think it's getting better. Instead of imediately running away, Pea just kind of saunters off more casually now when Moppy comes by. They still aren't getting along well on their perch (or our awning support beam, which is where they go if free ranging; then I have to go put them away in coop), nor do I think Moppy really lets her near the food bowl for to long (I've been putting food on coop roof for Pea). I guess as long as they are happy during the day, and I have plans to seperate perch a bit if I need to.

The only thing is that I think Pea dislikes the divide and would rather sit next to Moppy, but for some reason she is being the mob boss and pecking her off the perch. Such a sweet little bird, so I don't know what Moppy's problem is; she is such a fuss pot. ^^ *exasperated*

 

[FairWillow]

Hi there I am having a similar problem. We had to put one of our girls down a couple of months ago leaving us with Barred Rocks and two Red Sex links. I got two more rocks just old enough to start laying. I expected the pecking order but after three weeks the two younger girls still get bullied. I do not think it is the girl highest in the order but rather the one who doesn't want to be passed. No one is seriously hurt, just bullied. On top of that my husband decided to be awesome and get me some more babies. Two days ago he brought home two silkies and two great cochins all four weeks old. Now the "teenager" being bullied is picking on my babies when they are all out to free range. I keep them seperated except for a couple of hours. I have the babies visible to the big girls but not accessible. Any suggestions or tips and any ideas on aprox time frame? Should I maybe seperate the one red who started the bulling?

 

[Den in Penn]

Hi there I am having a similar problem. We had to put one of our girls down a couple of months ago leaving us with Barred Rocks and two Red Sex links. I got two more rocks just old enough to start laying. I expected the pecking order but after three weeks the two younger girls still get bullied. I do not think it is the girl highest in the order but rather the one who doesn't want to be passed. No one is seriously hurt, just bullied. On top of that my husband decided to be awesome and get me some more babies. Two days ago he brought home two silkies and two great cochins all four weeks old. Now the "teenager" being bullied is picking on my babies when they are all out to free range. I keep them seperated except for a couple of hours. I have the babies visible to the big girls but not accessible. Any suggestions or tips and any ideas on aprox time frame? Should I maybe seperate the one red who started the bulling?

Welcome to BYC.
You are right about it may not be the top of the order doing the bulling. If you don't have a second set of feeders and waters I would put another out. If the new BPRs aren't being injured I would just put up with it for a while. If in a month she still is unrelenting then a separation might be in order. I would keep the chicks separate for a few more weeks even if you are free ranging them. That will give them time to grow and the others to accept their right to exist. At ten to twelve weeks old the chicks should be big enough and fast enough to get away when free ranging. Hmm if the chicks are four weeks now, in six they will be ten. If the pullets are still being bullied in four weeks, if you can separate the bully for a week or so. When the week or so is up the chicks will be around ten weeks. If you put them all together at that time for free range there may be enough distractions that no effective bulling can happen. there will still be the pecking order going on, but hopefully just that. Just a reminder that separation of bullies should be out of sight and sound if possible.