Young hen the target of existing hens

[Amanda1503]

Hello!

I have 7 hens total. 6 are ISA’s and the other is a Australorp. I had three Australorp hens. Two have died ( 1 yesterday). I’m still trying to determine what exactly happened to her but that is for another post. The Australorp’s were separated in their own coop and pen from the ISA’s until the one Australorp became ill. I isolated both of them in separate crates. The last Aussie is very healthy with no signs of illness. Now that the one Australorp has passed I can’t keep the existing Aussie separated from the rest of the flock because I fear she may be a little depressed (the two Aussies were inseparable).I’ve read that she should be around other chickens. Here is the problem... the ISA’s are so sweet but not very tolerant of the Australorp. I was outside this afternoon doing yard work while watching these girls. If the Aussie came within 10 feet of another they charged her and started pecking. I put a halt to that behavior being I didn’t want her to get hurt. I’m not sure what I should do with the Australorp, especially when I’m at work during the day. Any ideas or thoughts on maintaining a harmonious flock.
Thank you

 

[CluckerFamily]

How did you integrate her into the flock?
Some chickens will prefer to hang with the same breed as themselves. My sister's hens all separate in the yard and group according to their breed, it's surprising they do this.

 

[Amanda1503]

How did you integrate her into the flock?
Some chickens will prefer to hang with the same breed as themselves. My sister's hens all separate in the yard and group according to their breed, it's surprising they do this.

There is one pen with a divider fence down the middle. Two separate coops.
The two Australorps were on one side and the ISA’s. Now there is just one Australorp on her side. I let them out into the fenced area (1/4 acre) in the late afternoon. It used to be earlier but we’ve had a few hungry hawks in the past. When she was out in the fenced area that is when they were constantly chasing her. I only let her out with them while I was outside. When her sister was alive they would avoid the others by sticking together.

 

[aart]

Try putting one of the isa's in with the aussie.
Keep trying until you find an isa that won't attack.
Mix and match until you have a few isa's in with the aussie.
Range the 2 pens on alternate days.
Once they are settled, a week or so, let them all out together.
Chicken Juggling!

Oh, and....these tips might 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.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[DobieLover]

There is one pen with a divider fence down the middle. Two separate coops.
The two Australorps were on one side and the ISA’s. Now there is just one Australorp on her side. I let them out into the fenced area (1/4 acre) in the late afternoon. It used to be earlier but we’ve had a few hungry hawks in the past. When she was out in the fenced area that is when they were constantly chasing her. I only let her out with them while I was outside. When her sister was alive they would avoid the others by sticking together.

Do ALL the ISA's chase her or just the higher ups? If one of the ISA's doesn't chase her, put that one in with her so they can establish a relationship. That will help the Australorp integrate easier.

 

[Amanda1503]

Try putting one of the isa's in with the aussie.
Keep trying until you find an isa that won't attack.
Mix and match until you have a few isa's in with the aussie.
Range the 2 pens on alternate days.
Once they are settled, a week or so, let them all out together.
Chicken Juggling!

Oh, and....these tips might 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.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

Thank you! That’s a great idea!

 

[aart]

Do ALL the ISA's chase her or just the higher ups?

I've found the low bird in the established flock are the most aggressive to newbies.
Either to protect their place, or they finally have someone lower to beat on