Henergy Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 We had a flock of 4 chickens in a cube with a 2m run. They also have a large area to run in daily. 2 of my chickens are older and have stopped laying (I think) - so at the weekend we got two newbies - an Amber link and a Blue Maran Splash. On sunday we kept them completely separate. The old flock were in the cube run & the new girls in the outside. There was lots of squawking. The new girls slept in a small wooden nest box that I have. On monday it was more of the same - except I let them have 20 mins together with me there to split up any spats. On tuesday the same. Yesterday I opened the cube run door & they spent all evening in & out. They didn't really mix though - when the new girls were in the cube run, the oldies were in the outside & vice versa. But it all seemed quiet (ish) so I thought progress had been made. Anyway, this morning its been raining so I thought the best thing was to put them all in the cube run in the dry together with the door shut (because the new girls were insisting on sitting out in the rain). But it was bedlam. All four oldies turned on the new ones & attacked - i opened the door again of the cube & literally the amber link ran screaming with one of my old girls on her back biting her ! So, what happened & will they never get on ? Luckily its stopped raining now but how do I progress them to becoming friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 I think the consensus is that it does take a little longer. Maybe keep them separate for a week, maybe two or so but next to each other so they can see each other, then gradually let them free range together until they seem to accept each other. I think you will still have some initial squabbling but should settle down. It will also be a good idea to keep them separate as a quarantine period too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 I've always spent several weeks integrating mine, however the first week is always apart, as gavclojak says this is a quarantine period to ensure your new hens aren't bringing in any illness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redcharlie43 Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 Can you put a roosting branch in the cube so that the new ones have somewhere to escape to? I have always found this really useful when integrating new hens. At first they just seem to sit up there looking miserable but they will come down to eat and it helps the others get used to having them around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henergy Posted May 9, 2014 Author Share Posted May 9, 2014 Its such a pain though as at the moment the new chickens have no rain shelter & the forecast is for a whole weekend of rain !!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulad Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 We kept ours apart for about 2 weeks but with lots of supervised free ranging - there were still fights after that but they soon settled down....can u create any places they can escape too - high perches or an old chair they can hop onto to get away from the oldies ?? good luclk x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 I feel your pain!!! I'm going through this at the moment, trying to introduce two newbies to a flock of 3 (I think these chucks have flippin' short memories, they don't seem to remember how horrid it was when they were newbies, they're just hell bent on revenge!) I've made a divider for my Cube run - using this kind of stuff http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000TAWDHO/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=479289247&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B009CNP6JG&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=0DGJHVEDD2B73YF7DPBT cut to size and held in place with garden canes. The newbies have 1m of run to themselves, the others have the rest of the run - so they can all see each other, but the newbies are safe and they've obviously got their own food and water. I've found in the past things settle quite quickly once the newbies come into lay, and when it settles, it seems to happen quickly - but it does take a while. We'll be trying some supervised free ranging tomorrow Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 I think you have tried to integrate too soon - although I have tried the 'throw them all in together' method and it's succeeded in the end, it's painful to watch. I would give it at least a couple of weeks with them being able to see each other but not touch, with some supervised free ranging if possible. Even when they are integrated you can expect some screaming and shouting while they sort out the pecking order - usually this is a lot of posturing and no actual damage is being done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henergy Posted May 9, 2014 Author Share Posted May 9, 2014 Well this afternoon seems to have quietened down - I've put up some tarpaulin so that if the newbies want to sit outside this weekend then at least they won't get wet ! Also, I checked them earlier & the oldies were outside having a rummage for worms & the new girls had ventured into the cube run & were perched on the log in there. One even checked out the nest box. I think they now seem happy enough to be in the general vicinity together. Now there is shelter they have plenty of room to be out of each others way. Both newbies are crouching so hopefully eggs soon too. I'm happy that they will be ok now & will not rush them into sharing the cube. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henergy Posted May 12, 2014 Author Share Posted May 12, 2014 Well peace arrived completely after a week. On Sat night I looked in & both newbies had gone to bed in the cube & were snuggled up with the oldies - such a cute moment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 Well peace arrived completely after a week. On Sat night I looked in & both newbies had gone to bed in the cube & were snuggled up with the oldies - such a cute moment That sounds lovely. I'm glad things have turned out a little better for your newbies Long may it continue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
