How do you introduce new chickens?

[RobertN]

We got 6 Barred Rock hens a couple years ago. Lost on this winter; just up and died. So, I get the idea to get three more. At the feed store a couple months ago, they had all kinds of chicks.

I got three new Barred Rock chicks. Have a 2' wide, 3' long, 2' high plywood box, with one sided screened. Kept them in the garage, with a heat lamp. They have gotten fair sized, although still definitely juvenile. It has been hot here, so got them out to the shaded chicken run(converted 6'x12' dog run, with a 6'x6' "house" on the end. Kept them in their little pen.

So today, I figured they are big enough, they are really kinda big for a 2x3x2 box. So, I let one out with the other hens. Right away a couple of the hens chased and pecked it. I separated them, but a couple minutes later they did it again.

How old do I have to let them get before I can put them all together? Or will I be able to? Do I just leave them together, let them peck, and settle down? That does not seem right.

Not sure what to do...

 

[dave1949]

Maybe put up a fence between the hens and pullets where they can see each other for a few days before putting them together again?

I don't think I would let the pecking go on. That can get very ugly and fatal. Once chickens get started on another chicken, they all will peck it every chance they get. Don't let it become habitual.

Pine tar smeared on the pecked area, which is often around the vent, is the old remedy. Apparently it tastes awful and the peckers quit. I know first hand pine tar will stop pecking in a flock.
Dave.

 

[RobertN]

The box I made for the chicks is screened on one side. I put that box out in the chicken run, because it was just too hot in the garage. The chicken run is nicely shaded. I thought since they could hear/see/smell each other it would be good.

But a couple of the hens definitely chased after the one pullet I got out. I swooshed the hens away, and put the pullet back in the box.

 

[dave1949]

I never had the experience of mixing different aged chickens, so I dunno. Maybe make a temporary larger pen with chicken wire next to the existing run and feed and water separately for a week?

It must be related to pecking order in the flock, food competition, space competition or the like. We have to be smarter than the chickens :laughing:

Wish I had better ideas.
Dave.

 

[Mousefield]

We tried to introduce 2 new adult Araucana chickens with our 20 brown girls a few years ago and it did not work. They kept getting pecked and one went off into the bush to die and the other I had to do the deed, it was getting beat up real bad, lost an eye and I could not stand to see it suffer. Unfortunately we were not setup to keep them separate. I would not bother to try and add new chickens to our flock anymore, think the same thing will probably happen. Our egg layers that we have left, 17, will be gone soon. I have ordered 50 new ones today and should get them at months end. Have a new larger coop for them and will use the old coop for meat birds. May have been because they are a different color, breed, new and different or???

 

[irwin]

We're in the same boat right now. The wife got seven fertile eggs 7 months ago, only one hatched. We had it in it's own little pen in the larger chicken enclosure.
One day it (wife hates when I call "it" it) got out, or another chicken got in and pulled "her"(?) out and several older chickens ganged up on her and ripped a inch by 2 inch section of skin off the back of "her" neck.

I was sure she wouldn't make it.. but never doubt the "chicken goddess" and her persistance at animal care. It's been a few weeks living in a cage in the house with (wife) taken care of the wound. Today we moved her into the sheep enclosure after we set up a little den for her.

The story of the lone chicken continues.

 

[dave1949]

This website says it is related to social order within the flock. They suggest debeaking. Don't like that as a solution.
G8350 Small Flock Series: Managing a Family Chicken Flock | University of Missouri Extension

This one recommends side by side pens for a while but never did get their roosters to get along.
http://www.cyndilou6.com/youngold.html

Dave.

 

[MtHam]

I've never done it, but have heard it suggested to slip the new ones into the older flock's quarters late at night when they're all asleep. When they wake up, they supposedly don't remember enough to realize there are newcomers.

 

[RickB]

Well, I gave up trying to get them to shake hands.

 

[bp fick]

I've never done it, but have heard it suggested to slip the new ones into the older flock's quarters late at night when they're all asleep. When they wake up, they supposedly don't remember enough to realize there are newcomers.

Apparently, they do indeed notice. The social structure is so strong and they know their order to the 20th bird, or some such. I also understand that if the flock is disrupted, due to taking out, say 8 of them, the remaining dozen take a week or more to sort out their new pecking order.

I tried. Don't pretend to know all the ins and outs, but failed to integrate two older hens with 20 younger birds. Gave up. Wasn't worth it to me. The 20 that grew up together under the heat lamp all know their order and there is relatively little fussiness, although if someone gets uppity... :laughing: