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Just introduced 2 new chooks to group of 4: Any advice?

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  • #1

    Just introduced 2 new chooks to group of 4: Any advice?

    Yesterday we brought home 2 new gorgeous hens, a light sussex and a 'bluebell' hen to add to our flock called Sophie and Hedwig. We are quite new chicken owners (3 months approx) and brought our four from Omlet with a Eglu cube.

    Despite the farm owner's comments that the older will peck them at the start I was completely convinced that they would all get on like a house on fire as they are so gentle and soppy with no sign of a pecking order. (When I stroke one called Edwina she shuts her eyes and makes a cooing noise ) So I was shocked when Phoebe, a very shy chicken started bullying Hedwig. At the moment we are keeping them mainly separate during the day, with the older free outside and the new in the run and put them together at night. Is it best to keep them separate as much as poss for the time being to get the new hens used to their home? Or should I let them get together more and sort out the order. Also do you think they will they eventually all become friendly with each other as my original four were, and if you have any tips please post.
    Last edited by Atticus; 16-08-2010, 12:34 PM.
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  • #2
    Most people advise introducing new chickens at dusk, when they've gone in to roost. There have been two threads on here about it this last week, if you have a search. You can spray them all with a mild vinegar solution, so they all smell the same, that may help.

    Personally, once they are together, as long as they have enough space, I would leave them to sort themselves out. The more you intervene, the longer it will take for them to all settle, and get used to each other. You will always have a dominant Hen, and one at the bottom too.

    Good luck with them.
    All the best - Glutton 4 Punishment
    Freelance shrub butcher and weed removal operative.

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    • #3
      I always "quarantine" any newcomers for at least a week or two if possible. This ensures the new ones don't bring in any unwanted "passengers" or illnesses to the existing birds. If you can keep them in an adjacent run during this time the old birds will get used to them and just have to sort out their pecking order when they amalgamate.
      It's usually thegirls at the lower end of the pecking order who cause the problems as they're making sure they don't go any lower in the order.

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      • #4
        It's amazing how they turn in to Attila the Hen baddies when they look so sweet, isn't it. Mine even went into doing kick boxing style kicks!! They're not 'nice 'creatures. Keep at it, they will settle but you may find that there will always be a bit of a division between the newbies and your established girls.
        Last resort if they are injuring the new girls is anti-peck spray. It reall smells disgusting but it does work, they really don't like it. Good luck.
        Gardening forever- housework whenever

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        • #5
          We amalgamated a mixed group of different sized LF youngsters and three adult bantams together in a large pen a few days ago. They had all been either in broody coops or free ranging and for convenience for a while have decided to bung them all in together. It's been interesting watching the pecking order shake down. They are a mixture of breeds too, both pure and cross, and the small, but very feisty Indian Game pullet is certainly holding her own against others bigger than her. We have given them two houses to sleep in (there is a total of 14 birds) and they have been very good about sorting themselves with regard to who sleeps where.

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          • #6
            Thanks you for your comments!! I will try all suggestions as am quite worried about chooks now. The original four keep running at the new chooks and pecking them quite often now and when this happens they seem to look very sad with their head down. When not pecked and on their own they seem content enough though.

            I feel so sorry for them, today Sophie must have been chased and jumped on top of the Eglu cube as I found her up there and a load of droppings! She must have been up there ages.

            It has been approx 48 hours now since arrived so I hope they settle soon, does everything sound normal so far?

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            • #7
              Yup, totally normal! They are actually quite vicious barbaric little wotsits under all that fluff!
              All the best - Glutton 4 Punishment
              Freelance shrub butcher and weed removal operative.

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              • #8
                Expect them to keep it up for a week. Unless blood is drawn just grit your teeth and let them get on with it.

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                • #9
                  When I introduced 2 new girls, my very friendly chooks turned into bullies! Chasing the new girls back into the house when they ventured out. I was advised to keep them apart but in sight with each other during the day and to put them together to roost at night. This went on for about a week and now, a year on, they all get on very well. Thank you for that advise RedThorn and Aunty Mo

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                  • #10
                    48 hours isn't long for chooks to shake down a new pecking order. As long as the newbies have places to hide in and they all have enough room they'll probably be ok. My game birds went for each other hammer and tongs when the broody went back in with the flock (and they all know each other!). They've calmed down a lot now though.
                    JM

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                    • #11
                      They can be quite violent can't they JM? When I return broodies to the main flock they get thoroughly trodden by the resident cocks and bullied by the other hens. They are quite tough little birds though and a couple of days later they have fitted back in nicely.

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