Chicken mean girls

[emmadoria]

Hey y’all I have just recently brought some new chickens home and the current residents are bullying the new ones. The new chickens are a bit smaller than the original ones however I didn’t think this was a problem? There’s a group of three that constantly pick on and nip at the two new chickens. Any help is appreciated!

The original chickens are black australorps

 

[nuthatched]

Did you keep the separated where they could see but not touch each other?

 

[aart]

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/

 

[heather134]

I had this exact issue. One old girl in particular was being horrid. After doing some integration things (like letting them see each other in the run but not associate with each other, and letting them free range together for several weeks) there was still a lot of bullying when they were finally together. I interfered several times which I think slowed the process. I separated the really mean one from time to time at night, but I think if I'd just done it during the day that would have been better. Nighttime trying to roost was the worst - there would be Thunderdome battles (happened again last night, but somehow the young ones finally won). The suggestion for extra food and water helped a lot. I put additional resources at the other end of the run. Overall it took about four weeks for the big bully to mostly stop. She still picks on them, but she's not merciless like before.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Aart gave you all the info you need to have a successful integration can we see some pics of your set up? Coop/run?