Reset pecking order

[Clmiller88]

hello! I have 5 sexlink chickens who are 3 months old. I introduced 2 silkies one is a rooster (2.5 months old) two 2 month sexlinks and 2 sapphire gem 2 months old. The older birds pecked at them, but when they picked the rooster he wanted to fight. So we isolated the older birds. Got rid of the rooster. Then reintroduced the older birds back after 3 days. 2 of them were aggressive so we isolated them again. The other 3 are mean as well but im hoping things sort themselves out. Any advixe?

 

[Doc7]

What do you mean by aggressive?

If there is no blood, your actions are only prolonging the process.

 

[Clmiller88]

Just pecking and chasing. Won't let babies come out of coop.

 

[Doc7]

Just pecking and chasing. Won't let babies come out of coop.

They are doing this with me (7 week olds and 1-2 year olds). I have food in both the coop and the run and it’s no problem at all.

every 5 minutes throughout the day it sounds like bloody murder outside. Mostly my leghorn gets to chasing one of the chick. most chases last less than 15 seconds. Not a problem, everyone is learning their place.

the longer time goes on the more used to each other every one gets. If there’s no blood let them work it out. Plenty of sight blockers (I keep the feeders pointed towards the wall, so the chicks are relatively hidden while getting their fill in their few minutes of peace).

 

[aart]

2 of them were aggressive so we isolated them again. The other 3 are mean as well but im hoping things sort themselves out. Any advixe?

Separating just starts the whole process over again.
How big is your coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help immensely here.


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.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[Clmiller88]

Separating just starts the whole process over again.
How big is your coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help immensely here.


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.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

Wow thay was extremely helpful. The run is 200 square feet. So should I just throw the other 2 birds back in the run?

 

[aart]

The run is 200 square feet.

How big is the coop?
Pics please.

So should I just throw the other 2 birds back in the run?

Well, you could.
I'd put the new group in a separate but adjacent run with shelter/coop.

 

[Homesteadermomma6382]

I dont normally add new birds until they are about 10-12 weeks. At that age they are big enough to defend themselves if they need to. Ive put in them in earlier and my bigger girls picked on them. I took the vabies out and waited another couple weeks. This time there wasnt any pecking at all. Did the same last year as well. Even added a new rooster with 2 older ones. I think I'm very lucky with the flock ive had. They are are very accepting of new siblings.