4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[cliveb]

Hi All,

I know that there have been many posts on introducing new birds to an established flock, however any advice on the following would be much apreciated.

 

I have three newbies who we have kept in their own run and house next to my original two, they have been able to see each other for the last two weeks, and apart from Lorraine making a lot of noise for two days all seemed well.

 

Yesterday I took the fence between them away and there was a bit of pecking and chasing of the newbies around the garden, and a bit of squarking.

 

Today they seem to be free ranging quite happily, but in their own groups still, not mingling at all. When they do meet, there is more pecking from Lorraine and Sharon, who then chase the new girls away.

 

Is this normal, and how long roughly will it continue? If i am honest I was hoping that they would all be sleeping in the same house by now! last night they slept in thier seperate houses. Will they eventually get on and roost together.

 

Many thanks for your advice, in advance.

 

Sharon

Lorraine

The Newbies:

Rosie

Ray

Maureen

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I'm 5 weeks into it this w/e and although it's mostly fine there is still a bit of nastiness from Maisie . (Did you read my thread about her pecking a bit of Poppy's comb off ?)

 

I think 2 weeks is still early days. I would try to be patient and just take it as slowly as you possibly can.

 

I'm sure they'll get on fine eventually - that's what I'm hoping for anyway .

[Lewis]

The answer is time

 

I know some people are into their 4th week of intro's and things are still not perfect, I'm only on week 2

 

If they are free-ranging together then its a good thing. A bit of pecking is to be expected, as long as no blood is drawn ... they're just sorting out the pecking order.

[cliveb]

I'm 5 weeks into it this w/e and although it's mostly fine there is still a bit of nastiness from Maisie . (Did you read my thread about her pecking a bit of Poppy's comb off ?)

 

Thanks for the advice, I guess it really is easy does it. I just want them to all get on as soon as possible.

 

I read your post about Poppy I hope she gets well soon and grows her bit of missing comb back

[sjp]

mine have been free ranging to together since about the 2nd week of july.and have been in runs next to each other for about 6 weeks.sharing a run for 2 weeks yesturday. today was the first time they spent most of the free ranging time together as one flock it's also the first day with nearly no nastyness when treats were about but they still put themselves to bed in they're own coops

I found that the big girls were fine for the first couple off weeks or so until the youngsters gained in confidence and started to square up to each other (not the big girls) thats when the big girls would have a peck or in big reds case a peck a chase then an other peck.I think what changed this last week 10 days was the fact the the youngsters now have a go back and stand thery're ground more when the big girls have a go at them and they aren't squaring up to each other so much now. so take it slowly let the girls get to no each other