Pecking Order

[gingobirl]

We just acquired two new birds to add to the remaining two in our backyard. One of our original birds is clearly dominant over the others. She chases the two new birds away from food or good spots in the yard. When the birds are all in the run/coop, she pecks, then chases the two new birds into a corner. She does let them sleep in the roost, so I guess thats good.
Question: How long does it take for all four birds to assimilate? When is her bullying a problem(if it is a problem. THanks

 

[featheredplanets]

Did you intergrate them right? I would think this behaviour would only become an issue if she starts injuring them. You could place several feeders and drinkers to ensure they’re getting something and second roost if you don’t have one already.

 

[gingobirl]

It has been two days. Our birds roam the yard during the day. The yard is big enough , that they explore in pairs. Occasionally Kevina(she's the one in charge) will decide she doesnt like where the new birds are, or what they are eating and she will chase them around the yard into a corner. In the coop she does boss the birds around continuously. Tonight they stayed in a corner until she went to sleep, then they climbed up in the roost. Im not sure if I integrated them correctly. They have plenty of food, water, dustbathe space. Any advice would be awesome. Thx

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! It's best to have new birds in the coop but separated for a week or so, and then let loose when free ranging, to try to minimize issues. Having two or more feeders and waterers, in different areas, is important too. It takes time for things to settle down! Everyone needs to be able to eat and drink, and not be injured.
You could lock up your dominant hen for a week or two, and see how that goes.
Mary

 

[aart]

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.

This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock