Challenge integrating flock

[Nicchic]

Hello,

I've read so many posts on this but hoping for some direct advice as I'm losing my confidence.


About 5 weeks ago I introduced a pekin bantam and a young pullet about the same size to my current flock (one brahma and one maran). I know the size difference isn't ideal, but the bantam was getting picked on in her other flock anyway.

My hope was that the bantam and pullet would bond - which they have!

All is going well, except the brahma hates the bantam. The maran doesn't seem to peck anyone, and the young pullet gets a nip from the brahma but not to the same level of violence.

When she tries to get in the coop at night, the brahma stands on her and pecks her. She submits. Once she's in, it seems to be okay. She hasn't drawn blood and there's no bald spots, but it is brutal.

In the day, the bantam sometimes hides in the coop. The brahma doesn't seem to constantly chase her. There is access to separate food and water for both, as well as spots to hide.

Any advice on what to do?

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

I'm definitely no expert, but it sounds like the brahma is probably top of the pecking order and trying to assert her dominance by pecking at the bantam. The same thing happened with mine when i introduced them to each other, and now the pecking order has been 'sorted out' they barely peck at each other anymore.
Someone else will definitely have more comprehensive answers though!

 

[SamLockwood]

It's pretty common for older hens to behave that way with newcomers, especially ones that look different than what they're used to. They don't like anything that changes or is different.

Case in point, when I grew my flock in late 2022 I got a lot of maran mixes as part of a "colorful egg layer assortment" from the hatchery. When they grew up feathered legs were a minority: only four of the 15 chicks had feathering on their legs and none of the four adults I had at the time had fethered legs.

Guess who got picked on more? The feather-legged birds. I even saw one of them pulling her own leg-feathers out after a while so she fit in with the others.

The following spring I got some roosters and two of my three breeder roosters are marans with feathered legs. I kept nine of their offspring to grow my flock and replace losses, and most of them have feathered legs (including one hen that looks has flulffy white leg-warmers). Only one of the 4 original hens is left, and she doesn't even top the hen pecking order.

So now feathered legs are considered somewhat fashionable in my flock: they don't get picked on particularly and the older hens that used to pull their leg-feathers out after a molt tend to leave them be.

 

[Ridgerunner]

About 5 weeks ago I introduced a pekin bantam and a young pullet about the same size to my current flock (one brahma and one maran). I know the size difference isn't ideal, but the bantam was getting picked on in her other flock anyway.

How old are they, all four of them? To me size is a non-issue, size just doesn't matter. Differences in maturity levels can make a lot of difference. It could be a personality issue but it sounds to me like it could be a maturity issue.

As long as no one is getting injured I'd let them work it out. But keep an eye on them in case of injury.

 

[Shadrach]

Size does matter but it isn't that clear cut in an established hierarchy I have found. It's when newcomers arrive that the study below found changes in the hierarchy, the larger hens becoming senior.

https://brill.com/view/journals/beh/137/6/article-p705_3.xml

 

[NewcoopNewpoop]

It's pretty common for older hens to behave that way with newcomers, especially ones that look different than what they're used to. They don't like anything that changes or is different.

Case in point, when I grew my flock in late 2022 I got a lot of maran mixes as part of a "colorful egg layer assortment" from the hatchery. When they grew up feathered legs were a minority: only four of the 15 chicks had feathering on their legs and none of the four adults I had at the time had fethered legs.

Guess who got picked on more? The feather-legged birds. I even saw one of them pulling her own leg-feathers out after a while so she fit in with the others.

The following spring I got some roosters and two of my three breeder roosters are marans with feathered legs. I kept nine of their offspring to grow my flock and replace losses, and most of them have feathered legs (including one hen that looks has flulffy white leg-warmers). Only one of the 4 original hens is left, and she doesn't even top the hen pecking order.

So now feathered legs are considered somewhat fashionable in my flock: they don't get picked on particularly and the older hens that used to pull their leg-feathers out after a molt tend to leave them be.

Thats crazy you witnessed them pulling their own leg feathers out! Chickens are so complex.

 

[Mrs. K]

In a small flock, they can be relentless. I think I would put painless peepers on the mean bird.

 

[Mrs. K]

Pin -less peepers