Adding chickens

[Marymiggy]

Hello! Have just started raising chickens. Had six (4 month old) chickens in the coop and run for one week. Then introduced two older hens. One of the new hens will not come out of the coop. The other comes out briefly. Should we make them come out in the run or give it time? Thanks!

 

[sourland]

Chickens hate change - it will take her time to adapt to her new environment. Are you making sure that she is eating and drinking ?

 

[ashlierami]

Hello! Have just started raising chickens. Had six (4 month old) chickens in the coop and run for one week. Then introduced two older hens. One of the new hens will not come out of the coop. The other comes out briefly. Should we make them come out in the run or give it time? Thanks!

If she's got access to food and water I'd let her introduce herself at her own pace. Forcing it may start fighting and stress from her or the others. If it goes beyond another week then I would try other ways to integrate her into the flock such as feeding treats amongst them all.

 

[Perris]

hello @Marymiggy ! welcome to BYC

 

[Marymiggy]

Yes, she seems to be eating and drinking. Thank you!Adding chickens

 

[Marymiggy]

If she's got access to food and water I'd let her introduce herself at her own pace. Forcing it may start fighting and stress from her or the others. If it goes beyond another week then I would try other ways to integrate her into the flock such as feeding treats amongst them all.

Thank you! Will continue to watch and hopefully they will work it out.

 

[Mrs. K]

I would try this, I would let everyone else out of the coop/run, and lock them out. Then put the shy bird in the run. Let her explore without being chased. Let them back in just before dark.

Also what does your run look like? Is it just a bare open rectangle? Where a bird can see every other bird all the time. Add some clutter, roosts, pallets leaned against walls, platforms birds can get under or on top of. Multiple feed bowls placed so if eating at one feed bowl, a bird cannot see another eating at another feed bowl.

Mrs K

 

[Marymiggy]

I would try this, I would let everyone else out of the coop/run, and lock them out. Then put the shy bird in the run. Let her explore without being chased. Let them back in just before dark.

Also what does your run look like? Is it just a bare open rectangle? Where a bird can see every other bird all the time. Add some clutter, roosts, pallets leaned against walls, platforms birds can get under or on top of. Multiple feed bowls placed so if eating at one feed bowl, a bird cannot see another eating at another feed bowl.

Mrs K

 

[Marymiggy]

Thank you, Mrs K!

 

[aart]

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.