Why are my chickens fighting?

[luckysamara199]

Hello! So I have 5 chickens at my house a 6 at a ranch. Today I took my 5 chickens to the ranch to meet the other batch of chickens for the first time. When we got there they started fighting each other even the hens were fighting my rooster. Does anyone know why they fought?

 

[Jenessa_096]

When chickens meet each other they fight.

 

[JustBabyMargo]

Sometimes when chickens get introduced to other chickens (that they have never met before) they will fight each other. It is simply just a way for them to work out the pecking order. They may also fight if they are stressed out by meeting new chickens. But if you give them time they’ll work it out and stop.

 

[aart]

Hello! So I have 5 chickens at my house a 6 at a ranch. Today I took my 5 chickens to the ranch to meet the other batch of chickens for the first time. When we got there they started fighting each other even the hens were fighting my rooster. Does anyone know why they fought?

Not surprising.

Here's some tips about......
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/

 

[McChooky]

If you already have one at the ranch don't add anymore roosters.