Pecking Order and Integration Question

[Michael Propst]

I am wanting some feed back on pecking order behavior. I have 6 hens that are 14 1/2 months old and and also have 5 that are 7 1/2 weeks old. I moved the new chicks out of the garage 2 weeks ago and into a temporary coop set up next to my main coop this allows the 2 groups to easily see each other (picture of set up below). In addition my big girls get to free range anywhere from 4-12 hours a day and are out running around and do occasionally pay some attention to the little ones. For the first 2 weeks I had the 2 groups together in the backyard I did not allow them to engage each other. I had been putting the big girls up in their run around 6:30 or 7:00 and allowing the little ones out to run the yard for 30 minutes or so. On Saturday evening I wanted them to start mingling together so I let the little ones out while the big ones were out. I have 2 Rhode Island Reds that are currently at the top of the pecking order so I was keeping a close eye on them but to my surprise they paid no attention to the little ones running around with them. The one that did is one of my Barred Plymouth Rock hens which is currently at the bottom of the current big girl pecking order. She aggressively went after 3 of the chicks and got a hold of one pretty good. This is my first experience integrating new chicks so is this normal behavior that the bottom of the current pecking order would be the one most aggressive towards the new girls? Thanks in advance for any feedback.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

Yes, perfectly normal. Your higher status girls don't feel threatened by these young new comers... But the one at the bottom of the totem pole does feel threatened, so she has to firmly put these upstarts in a place of status below her.
The more often you do this, I might add, the more often your chicks will be attacked by her. She will feel the need to exert her authority over them every time they are together again. Your best bet is to get them together.

 

[aart]

Yes low hens can be the 'meanest'...not sure if they are protecting their place in the order or are just glad to finally have some subordinates to beat on.
Not sure your coop will hold 11 birds once all are grown,
can certainly make it hard to integrate.
Any chance at all to move the mini coop/run so it butts up against the main run?
Then you could make a small door for the chicks to egress.
At some point allowing the bigs out in the yard, and letting the littles explore the main run and coop unmolested can help.

Some tips you may find helpful...
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.

 

[Michael Propst]

The more often you do this, I might add, the more often your chicks will be attacked by her. She will feel the need to exert her authority over them every time they are together again. Your best bet is to get them together.

If I could ask for some clarification. You state that the more I allow them to be together that they will continue to get attacked. Then state my best bet is to get them together. Could you clarify what you mean by getting them together if they will continue to be attacked. Thanks

 

[Michael Propst]

Thanks for the reference tips. I have most of these conditions in place. I figured it was something along the line of establishing and maintaining her place in the pecking order. Or maybe simply being the above others and now being able to dish out some of the pecking.

Not sure your coop will hold 11 birds once all are grown,

I have a brand new 4'x12' coop my brother and I built over the winter we will be setting it into place next weekend well before the young ones are ready to move in. I posted about it Here.

Any chance at all to move the mini coop/run so it butts up against the main run?

Not currently it is as close as I can get it.

At some point allowing the bigs out in the yard, and letting the littles explore the main run and coop unmolested can help.

When they were all out together the little ones spent a fair amount of time in the big run while the big ones were in the yard. Next time I can shut the door so they can run around in there. The attacks happened in the open out in the yard.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

If I could ask for some clarification. You state that the more I allow them to be together that they will continue to get attacked. Then state my best bet is to get them together. Could you clarify what you mean by getting them together if they will continue to be attacked. Thanks

What I mean is the more often you put them together and then separate them, the longer the issue of pecking order will last.

 

[aart]

If I could ask for some clarification. You state that the more I allow them to be together that they will continue to get attacked. Then state my best bet is to get them together. Could you clarify what you mean by getting them together if they will continue to be attacked. Thanks

I'll hazard a guess.
When you allow them to be together, then separate them again each time you pt them together again it kinda starts the whole integration pecking order over again.


I'd put them all together in the new coop at the same time,
it will greatly reduce the territoriality aspect of integration.

 

[Michael Propst]

What I mean is the more often you put them together and then separate them, the longer the issue of pecking order will last.

Ok thanks

 

[Studius Eggus]

If I could ask for some clarification. You state that the more I allow them to be together that they will continue to get attacked. Then state my best bet is to get them together. Could you clarify what you mean by getting them together if they will continue to be attacked. Thanks

Nah, I think what's actually being said is this is normal. Integrate your chickens in stages. But don't vary...chickens taken in and out puts the pecking order on "reset" .
By dropping the food on both sides of the devider your encouraging familiarity.
You're going to get squabbles regardless, a raw introduction is almost traumatic for both sets and chickens can be cold blooded killers. Introducing them in stages may end up with a few feathers yanked and order settled, opposed to the possibility of a full on range war that could turn your garage in to a recovery room.
The behavior is normal, the method of introduction is crucial. For as simple an animal as they seem, chickens have complex relationships. You might as well be visiting a foreign country with cultural rules unlike your own.
In the first weeks create distractions. For example I cook for them and when I'm distributing breakfast I split it up on tortillas and space out the feeding area. They're too busy eating to pick on the new kids. We've made treat toys that encourage interaction in the flock. Again, if their mind is busy trying to wrestle a mealworm from a toy ...
I do not free range but my run is 20+ sq. ft. per bird so we come up with interesting tricks.
Believe it or not, learning how to "speak chicken" will help you immensely. We often take our morning coffee in the run, we aren't intrusive so they go about their day. It's amazing to watch certain vocalizations from the rooster that will direct the hens to food, safety, intruder...or hens warbling another to "get off the nest I've got a boulder to lay!"