Trying to integrate new chick

[nadiamaria3]

I have 4 red sex link hens that all grew up together & I have had them for about 2 years now. One became very broody, so (after waiting about a month for it to pass), I caved in & bought her some eggs And we hatched 2 more red sex link chicks - 1 hen & 1 rooster. The two newbies are now about 7 months old.

I have the 4 girls in their coop & the other 2 in their own. I am able to let them all out together but, any time I try to put Ruby (the new hen) in with the other girls, either 1 or all attack her. I have tried 1 on 1, but no matter which hen I put in with her, they’ll attack. She’s becoming where she won’t even come to me, if their around.

I’m just not sure what else to do.
Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[CHOOKYDOOKS]

Chooks do fight to establish domanence but I don't think it's a good idea to let her out with them if there's that many attacking her

 

[nadiamaria3]

Chooks do fight to establish domanence but I don't think it's a good idea to let her out with them if there's that many attacking her

 

[nadiamaria3]

I let them out to free range, when I do this, there are no issues. They seem to get along fine. Eventually the older ones go do their own thing & the younger ones, stay close to the coop.
The attacking issue doesn’t happen until I put her in the coop with them. I first did it one on one, rotating each hen on a different day. After about 2 weeks, I thought I was in the clear & very soon realized I was not. So I kept repeating that same process, but it’s just not yielding any success.

 

[sourland]

Why not try introducing both young birds to the older birds one at a time ?

 

[cmom]

Some are harder to integrate than others. Have you tried putting her in the coop with the others after they go to roost. Sometimes that works. Good luck...

 

[cmom]

I have another thought that has worked for me. Since it appears you have at least 2 coops. Change them around and put a bird or two in her coop. They will then be in an unfamiliar space. I recently did it with some of my Leghorns and it went well.

 

[nadiamaria3]

Why not try introducing both young birds to the older birds one at a time ?

Honestly, my rooster is a tough guy. He only lets me feed, pet him, pick him up, etc. I have a toddler & he’s attacked him twice already & me once actually.
with that, I was kind of planning on keeping him separated more so for my son. He loves going to the coops & he couldn’t of the rooster was in the same coop.

 

[nadiamaria3]

I have another thought that has worked for me. Since it appears you have at least 2 coops. Change them around and put a bird or two in her coop. They will then be in an unfamiliar space. I recently did it with some of my Leghorns and it went well.

I have not thought of that at all! I will definitely have to give that a try. Thank you

 

[sourland]

The rooster might serve as protection for the pullet until the integration is complete. Frankly after that with a child involved I would get rid of him, It's not worth the chance of significant injury. Roosters frequently go for the face of a child.