Problem Hen

[darmstrong124]

I started last year raising chicken, I wanted to add new girls to the flock this year. I used the playpen method to introduce the newbies to the one year olds there ia a couple little squabble to show the newbies the pecking order but, I have one hen that has become very aggressive to all the little ones by grabbing and shaking them and doesn't let go until I go to pick her up. I hate to get rid of her she is one that lets you hold her and carry her around but as soon as you put her down she is right back after the little ones. She is a great layer and sweet girl to me. Any suggestions on what I can do. I have her separated from the flock right now.

 

[Hensndoes]

How old are the new ones?

 

[darmstrong124]

How old are the new ones?

Three months old, but are quite large.

 

[Hensndoes]

Hmmm. I've not tried to introduce hand raised chicks that young so hopefully someone here can offer advice. My broody raised ones have always been integrated by 2 months with no issues. (But I have a rooster that doesn't allow squabbling).

 

[aart]

How many adult birds.....and how many 3mo chicks?

How much space in coop and run?
Dimensions and pics would help.

Are all the hens and chicks getting along while the bully is out of the mix?
Keeping the bully separate for a few days to a week may help.

 

[darmstrong124]

How many adult birds.....and how many 3mo chicks?

How much space in coop and run?
Dimensions and pics would help.

Are all the hens and chicks getting along while the bully is out of the mix?
Keeping the bully separate for a few days to a week may help.

I have 16 older (1yr) and 16 (3 month). The coop is 8' X 10' and the yard is 36' x 12'.
As of right now the mix seems to be ok with the bully out a little bit of squabbles but nothing to be worried about, the babies are starting to venture more around the coop and the yard. I plan on keeping her out until the weekend and seeing if she settles down is she doent what should I do?.

Thank you

 

[aart]

That's pretty tight space for 32 grown birds.
Hopefully you have separate roosts for the newbies n the coop,
and lots of hiding places and distractions in the run.

If she still is bullying, I'd isolate her again until you decide what to do with her.
No sense in letting one bird disrupt the hole flock.

What is your climate?
Adding your location to your profile an be a most helpful.



Here's some other tips and tricks for integration....
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.