What makes a chicken coop easy to live with?

[Julie65]

A week ago I acquired 2 new chickens to join Roxy & Maud (I've had these 2 for 14 months). Maud hates them and viciously pecks them. Over the past week both pairs have gone their separate ways, and only get together at night when they go in the eglu coop. How can I get them to play happy families? I

[Julie65]

In answer to my own question, I've just spotted the article on 'introducing point of lay chickens' which is v useful. Any tips from anyone else will be helpful too.

[holz]

I am by no means an expert, but from what I have read on here, slow introductions are key to the harmony!

[jackie45]

We got 2 new chickens 3 weeks ago. I found the articles about introducing new hens very interesting and informative.The 2 old girls,Bella and Charlotte had run ins with the new ones, Dotty and Esmeralda but we kept them apart in different accommodation at night . I am lucky to have a large garden with a fenced off veg patch. So while one set was in the garden the others were in the veg patch. The veg patch was trashed but they could hear and see each other. After about a week we let them run together, but with me with the broom to fend off Bella and Charlotte.They are still wary but it's getting better. The 2 old girls went around the garden like a pair of thugs!! All of them are now taking sly visits to each other's homes and scoffing the food and drinking the water.We will just watch for developments but I think the name of the game is slow and sure.

best wishes

[chicken bark]

Can only echo what others have said. Take is as slow as you can. The article you mentioned is very useful.

 

I roughly followed it when I got new hens and after about 3 weeks things settled. I needed a bottle of anti-pecking spray but there was nothing too serious to worry about. I remember sitting with them armed with a water pistol though! They are all one happy flock now.