Trouble integrating new pullets

[Chickgirl5]

I am having a lot of trouble integrating 6 12 week brahma pullets into my flock of 11 (17 week) hens. The hens are being brutal. The brahma pullets are just slightly smaller than the rest of the flock but they are being chased/pecked constantly. I had the pullets in a smaller coop outside the large coop for 4 weeks so they could all see each other. The pullets are hovering in a corner of the coop scared to death and even slept outside rather than going into the coop for the night. I know that they need to establish a new pecking order but there's no getting along at this point. Any tips on how to make this easier? No blood has been shed 'yet' however if one of the six get separated from their group, I know that the hens will gang up quickly.

 

[chickens really]

Did you try integrating as they free range?....Do that for about a week and then try putting them all into the one coop and run...Chickens are brutal.....

 

[Chickgirl5]

Did you try integrating as they free range?....Do that for about a week and then try putting them all into the one coop and run...Chickens are brutal.....

My 11 hens don't free range since we have a large coop/run. I was letting the 6 pullets free range since they're getting bigger and I didn't want to keep them in a small coop all day long. I was hoping to keep all 17 in the big coop/run. I'm not sure that I feel comfortable letting them all free range now since the 11 are comfortable with the coop and not used to free range.

 

[chickens really]

My 11 hens don't free range since we have a large coop/run. I was letting the 6 pullets free range since they're getting bigger and I didn't want to keep them in a small coop all day long. I was hoping to keep all 17 in the big coop/run. I'm not sure that I feel comfortable letting them all free range now since the 11 are comfortable with the coop and not used to free range.

They are protective of their space....Tossing the new ones into the flock as you did, will not workout...Free ranging works to allow them to get away from each other on neutral ground.....Not so competitive then..

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Did you try integrating as they free range?....Do that for about a week and then try putting them all into the one coop and run...Chickens are brutal.....

Does it help to stand up for a chicken? Some of my established flock is mean to a 16-week old pullet when she gets too close to them on the roost. I smack them upside the head to make them stop, but I wonder if it only does good for the moment.

 

[chickens really]

Does it help to stand up for a chicken? Some of my established flock is mean to a 16-week old pullet when she gets too close to them on the roost. I smack them upside the head to make them stop, but I wonder if it only does good for the moment.

I never hit my Birds into submission...Human emotions do not work well with any animals....Sorry, never tried that...

 

[aart]

@Chickgirl5 ....How big, in feet by feet, is the large run?
Is it a bare space or are there some 'diversions'?

You've hit on some of the basics, but may be other tips there that will help.
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.

 

[Mrs. K]

"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."

Birds have to have a way to get away from each other. It allows them to show submission.

Another trick you might try is take half of the big girls, and place them where you have the small girls. Add the small girls to the big girls place with the other half of the big girls. This will make it more of a one on one, and allow the younger birds to get more comfortable in the new place. Keep them there until that flock calms down a bit, say a week, then add back the other big girls.

But mostly I think your run needs more hideouts.

Mrs K

 

[chickens really]

My Chicks have Lilac trees, plywood leaning like a tunnel...over turned flower pot leaning on bricks....Plus my Rooster takes no crap from the Hens and protects the Chicks once Momma is Done....

 

[Chickgirl5]

Thanks for all the comments. Unfortunately, things did not settle down one of my chicks started to bleed with a big peck. I have since put them back in their little coop for a few more weeks. I still think they're too small compared to my big girls. I am going to add some more hiding spots in my run and try again in another month or so.