Silkie roo keep new chickens out

[Photokitty]

I inherited 41 new chickens and 5 ducks. 5 of which are roosters. Now I have a silkie rooster from my original flock that is keeping hens out of the coop. I thought the new group just wasn't going in because of not knowing the coop so I was putting them in and heard him go ballistic and he chased them out, I didn't put any of the Roos from the new flock in there at that point. Then during the day I noticed no one was going under the coop for shelter from the rain and it was him chasing them out if they even got near going under which is where the food is because I have a tarp over that part of the run to keep rain off the food.

He is too expensive to think of culling, but I have a small coop I can isolate him and his buddy in for a short time. Do you think this will help convince the others to go in if they aren't getting bullied? They go in during the day to lay so they know what it is. It's getting cold here in WV and quick so I need to figure this out. I plan on rehoming him eventually, he isn't nice and I have named him and his brother bevis and butthead (he is butthead). He brother is in a seperate coop and much less aggressive overall.

 

[chickens really]

How long have you had the new Birds?....Chickens are territorial...I would put him another pen...Best of luck....

 

[Jessica Thompson]

You should put him in a cage with the other chickens see what he does

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

I would separate him for a while, then maybe try adding him in again at night, say a week later.

 

[aart]

I inherited 41 new chickens and 5 ducks. 5 of which are roosters. Now I have a silkie rooster from my original flock that is keeping hens out of the coop. I thought the new group just wasn't going in because of not knowing the coop so I was putting them in and heard him go ballistic and he chased them out, I didn't put any of the Roos from the new flock in there at that point. Then during the day I noticed no one was going under the coop for shelter from the rain and it was him chasing them out if they even got near going under which is where the food is because I have a tarp over that part of the run to keep rain off the food.

He is too expensive to think of culling, but I have a small coop I can isolate him and his buddy in for a short time. Do you think this will help convince the others to go in if they aren't getting bullied? They go in during the day to lay so they know what it is. It's getting cold here in WV and quick so I need to figure this out. I plan on rehoming him eventually, he isn't nice and I have named him and his brother bevis and butthead (he is butthead). He brother is in a seperate coop and much less aggressive overall.

How did you introduce/integrate these new birds?...
....or did you just add them into the coop/run??
I hope you have a very large coop and run for that many birds.

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

 

[Photokitty]

I moved him to a medium coop with his brother. Seems to have settled the issue for now, I have had them for 5 days.