Chookchat Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 I hope someone can help me.I have two hybrid girls who are 15 months old and I have just added two bantam Orpingtons who are 22 weeks old.I can't keep them separated as I haven't the room.During the day things are not too bad,in fact it is quite peaceful with just the odd swipe from the big girls.BUT at bedtime the two big girls really get going and won't let the two new ones inside the roosting box.They both stand on guard at the pophole and attack. Tonight I have resorted to putting the new girls in a plastic pet carrier at bedtime.What I want to know is am I going to make matters worse by doing this or should I keep doing it until they are fully accepted? Thankyou to any one who has any ideas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted June 18, 2011 Share Posted June 18, 2011 I would do like you but in a week or so pop them in with the others after they have settled for an hour or two. The first introductions I did I made a frame to divide the cube in two but always ended up with the wrong ones the wrong side of the divide when they wanted to lay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted June 18, 2011 Share Posted June 18, 2011 I introduced 3 new hens to 2 existing ones after I lost 2 of the existing flock. I like you didn't segregate them. At bedtime one of the older hens (previously the bottom hen who went a bit power crazy and is now top hen ) would stand guard demanding a password for entry I intervened for the first few days moving her to one side to allow the others to get in. The newbies took refuge in the laying area for the night and there was a bit of bullying first thing in the morning (bit of blood speckling in the nesting area at times ). I sat it out because things were not too bad during the day with the daytime bullying looked worse than it actually was. They were out free ranging all day and so had the space to sort things out without being on top of each other. I only had to intervene with the bedtime issue for about 3 -4 days. You could perhaps pop the newbies in when the others are settled. My five took about a month to be a properly integrated flock. Bullying that caused concern lasted for about 2 weeks and they then existed in 2 groups for another week or so. They are now a proper gang Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
