I bought two RIR chicks Labor Day weekend and moved them into the main coop about 3-4 weeks ago, but they are not integrating well. They keep to themselves and are often chased away from the food or water by one of the established hens. Heck, they don't even get to roost with the other hens. Fortunately they are plenty fast and have no trouble getting away. The rooster will intervene to protect the pullets if needed, but mostly he just ignores what's going on unless someone starts squawking. Is this how it is going to be, or will they eventually earn a spot on the roost?
Are they only 3-4 months old? My mom added three pullets to an existing flock and it wasn't until those three reached sexual maturity that the older hens finally allowed the youngsters to roost with them (they were sleeping separately on a lower roost until that point). I believe that the rooster ultimately made the decision to mate with them and protect them from the bigger hens which forced the integration.
I would just leave it alone and let them work it out, Right now they are at the bottom of the pecking order. Things may change when they mature, or not. as long as they are not overy picked on, ie: bleeding or missing lots of feathers, its just chicken nature. GOOD LUCK with them!
Having a similar problem with our four original girls...being total terrorist to any other chicken we try and put in the coop with them. I have not left them in the pen with them for longer than a few hours because Im afraid they are gonna kill them and dont like the fact that they are being tormented...
It helps to let the new pullets live in the coop with the existing flock, but separated by chicken wire. Give them a few weeks to get to know each other through the wire before integrating. That worked well for me. There was some pecking, but it was minimal.
I have just gone through the same situation. Purchased two new pol's and yes they were hassled by my original 5. I don't know if what i saw was right but once the new ones began to lay, problems seem to fade away. It took approx one week for them to settle in and then in a few days they started laying. They still get the odd peck, but that is just the pecking order and the alfa female reminding them all.
