Re-introduce chickens after separation

[mbodamer]

Hello,
I purchased 12 chicks last February. They all grew up together and got along fine. I have a 8x20' caged run that they chill out in and I open the door to a grassed area that is 40x40'. The outside run area was just setup with cheap wire mesh on the pound in green garden stakes as a temp solution. It was only a 3' mesh and the chicks always stayed in the fenced area. I recently installed a nice white PVC 2 rail ranch style fence with wire mesh on the inside to spruce up the place.

They instantly figured out they could fly up and sit on the rail and subsequently fly off the other side and wander the yard. Neighbors didn't really like the chickens scratching in their flowerbeds (imagine that), so I had to start keeping them in the caged run area until i figure out my fence problem.

Within 2 days of them no longer having full outside run access two chickens showed sign of being pecked pretty aggressively. Butts completely picked clean of feathers and bare necks. So i took the two that were being beaten up and quarantined them and nursed them back and they have fully recovered. It took a few weeks.

In the meantime I fixed my fence problem. This weekend i re-introduced the chickens thinking everything would just go back to normal. Instantly the flock seemed aggressive to the two returning chickens. I stood back and watched a bit and the returning chickens kept their distance and if they got close to any of the other 10 then they would get pecked. I was trying to see how it would play out and things seemed to calm a bit over time, but if they meet at the food or water bowls there seems to be conflict. Or if one of them looks the wrong way at another then they jump them.

I see when roosting that the 10 kinda stick together and the two returning chicks are off to their own corner.

What is the best way to get them back and happy together as a complete flock?

Appreciate any advice.

 

[DobieLover]

Whenever birds are removed from their flock for more than a couple of days, the remaining birds restructure the pecking order.
When you bring the birds back, they are then considered interlopers and you have to introduce them as if brand new to the flock by keeping them in a separate area where they can be seen and heard but not touched. They should stay in this 'look-don't-touch' set up for about a week. When you do allow the two sub-flocks to co-mingle, you should allow the 2 girls out first into your larger area to get their bearings before allowing the main flock out. Wait about an hour or so. Monitor but don't interfere unless they are literally being outright attacked where the aggressor is not backing down.
Put out more feeders and waterers spread far apart and put in multiple logs and other perching structures. The two re-introduced girls will need space to get away from their old flock mates and placed to hide until the pecking order has been restructured yet again.
As long as no one is really getting pummeled, let them work it out.
A little blood is to be expected if either of the two that were in recovery decide they want to move up in the pecking order.
It wouldn't hurt to add additional things to occupy the flock like hanging a head of cabbage. The more space you can provide them, the better.
If your attached run is secure, I would leave the pop door open so that the chickens can all get into the larger area without having to wait for you to let everyone out of the coop.
Good luck.

 

[Mrs. K]

^^ Take a look at your areas. Can a chicken see every other chicken from any position in the area? Then you do not have enough clutter. A good run should have:

• an outdoor wind break,
• roosts,
• platforms that birds can get under in the shade or on top to bask in the sun
• mini walls,
• multiple feed stations positioned so that a bird eating at one, cannot see birds eating at another.

This will really help, however, it might be that your set up fits 10 better than 12. Some birds can do a tighter confinement, and some birds it makes them very irritable.

Mrs K

 

[Cryss]

When introducing new or re-introducing missing birds you need to start with a separate but visible tactic. Do you have a second small coop or a wire dog cage?
In the past I have introduced new birds via the dog cage. I set it inside the run (near the feeding area if your set up allows) with pine shavings. I put 4 bricks (2 high x2 wide) in the front left corner and set a small waterer on it. In the right front corner I use a few carabiners to hang a small plastic feeder adjusting the height with the carabiners. I cover the back half with a tarp and leave the front half open. The new birds are put inside. I scatter treats around the inside and outside of the cage so that the flock eats near each other. At night I cover the entire cage so they can sleep. I did start putting a piece of plywood on top of the cage slightly bigger than the area it is covering. This was to prevent the other chickens from flying up and pooping on the birds inside. Also protected them from an unexpected rain. After 2 weeks i open the cage and I hang out for an hour or 3 to observe or intervene in reintroduction. I allow the normal pecking order activity that must happen but if claws are used or blood is drawn we go back to the cage for another week or 2.
This past summer I had a chook being beaten up so I put her in the cage. @Brahma Chicken5000 offered me a small cage which was the perfect solution. I now use this for whatever separation issues arise. I ended up putting the bully in here and letting the victim back into the flock. Eventually the bully was released but now sports yellow "glasses" aka chicken peepers. She still tries to bully the victim but the peepers slow her down so it's not a problem.
My longwinded explanation is just to say that they need to be separated so they can't injure each other, but closely visible so they can get to know each other.
Good luck!

 

[Ms Clucky]

Was the two you introduced back in both hens? If so, I had to gradually do that with my hen. Like let them out for about an hour before they go to roost and she found her place by showing the other hens she won't put up with them beating her up. Now she is practically one of the main hens. The one that I had in the house for awhile

 

[Wyorp Rock]

This weekend i re-introduced the chickens thinking everything would just go back to normal. Instantly the flock seemed aggressive to the two returning chickens. I stood back and watched a bit and the returning chickens kept their distance and if they got close to any of the other 10 then they would get pecked. I was trying to see how it would play out and things seemed to calm a bit over time, but if they meet at the food or water bowls there seems to be conflict. Or if one of them looks the wrong way at another then they jump them.

I see when roosting that the 10 kinda stick together and the two returning chicks are off to their own corner.

As long as no one is really getting pummeled, let them work it out.
A little blood is to be expected if either of the two that were in recovery decide they want to move up in the pecking order.
It wouldn't hurt to add additional things to occupy the flock like hanging a head of cabbage. The more space you can provide them, the better.
If your attached run is secure, I would leave the pop door open so that the chickens can all get into the larger area without having to wait for you to let everyone out of the coop.

I agree with @DobieLover try to let them work it out. It sounds normal to me and you don't mention anyone drawing blood, being pinned down, etc.

A couple of things @mbodamer mentions is meeting up at the food/water there is conflict - add another food/water station if possible. imho, it's also normal for the 2 that had been separated to roost together. Re-integration can take time and patience.

I like the idea of occupying their attentions to other things beside 2 "newbies". Hanging veggies are always good - again - hang in more than one spot - add some fresh straw, leaves or pine needles to the run and scatter a little scratch - that gets everybody moving and hunting.

Hopefully all will work itself out in a week or so.

 

[mbodamer]

Thanks everyone for your replies. And to answer some of the questions.

yes they are all hens. They all grew up together and without conflict until i kept them in the caged run for a few days which seemed to spark this. I havent left that caged run door open when I am not home in case they get out of the fenced area... but i am thinking i will do this a see if it improves the situation.

i do only have one water and food station and didnt think to add another since they had all coexisted before together without issue. I figured they would be happy to see each other again and pick back up being buddies.