Introducting new girls

[Gorsty]

Hi folks

Two weeks ago, I bought 2 POL pullets - a Bluebell and a Black Rock I've been keeping them in a small run within the main run so that my 3 xWarrens can meet them and get to know one another without any feathers being lost.

The newbies are making rather a mess of their run and so I think it's probably time to take their protection barrier down. Just wondering how I can minimise the inevitable battle

Should I allow just Warren at a time to meet them?

I have noticed that TOP Warren, Boots (short for Bossy Boots) doesn't seem to take much interest of the two newbies whereas the Warren who's bottom of the pecking order, won't leave them alone!

What do you think?

Gorsty

[Glutton4...]

Spray them all with a mild vinegar solution, so they all smell the same. Then introduce them into the main coop with the others at night whilst dopey. They'll sort themselves out.

[Snadger]

Tahts the beauty of keeping cockerels. He sorts them out!

[Nicos]

Just deleted your other thread

[Suechooks]

Its always the lower order girls who cause problems. The top hen KNOWS she's top and so does everyone else. The others are just protecting their place in the pecking order so will pick on the new ones. Just ensure there's somewhere for the new girls to get away and extra feeders and drinkers to make sure they can eat. They'll sort it out so unless there's bloodshed try and leave them be. It looks like bullying to us but its normal behaviour to them. As G4 says put them in together at night.

[Gorsty]

Its always the lower order girls who cause problems. The top hen KNOWS she's top and so does everyone else. The others are just protecting their place in the pecking order so will pick on the new ones. Just ensure there's somewhere for the new girls to get away and extra feeders and drinkers to make sure they can eat. They'll sort it out so unless there's bloodshed try and leave them be. It looks like bullying to us but its normal behaviour to them. As G4 says put them in together at night.

I had thought about putting them together at night but the house itself is very small and I dread to think what will happen when it gets light and newbies meet the others and I'm still in bed - there will be NO where to RUN OR HIDE or will the vinegar treatment work?????

Wouldn't I be better off trying to get them together in the big run which is about 25ft square

Sorry - don't know what's best. What do you think would happen if I put the "Warren who's want to have a go" in with the two newbies and then there will be two against one or I am just being the "Wuss" - should I just let them all get on with it.

[Suechooks]

Do they free range together at all? Are they going to live together eventually or is it separate houses fo life?
I have an arrangement with a small house and run within another bigger run. I put new girls in the small coop and run for up to a month then let them free range together then leave the small run open so they can go in and out at will. I find they like to go to bed in their own house but happily mix during the day. It varies from each group as to how long the integration takes. Just be patient and do it how you feel best for your birds.
The bullying Warren will pobably just bully the two - its unlikely they'll have a go back.

[Gorsty]

Hi Suechooks

The plan is for them all to live together but at the present time the newbies are living in a tiny house & run within the bigger run - the older Warrens are allowed to scrat around the "newbie area" - have been doing this for 2 weeks now.

I had thought of allowing the 2 newbies out into the main run to mix with the others but to INITIALLY sleep in their own house until they have been completely accepted. This is what I did a few years ago when faced with the same scenario but these two Newbies seem so scared of anything & everything

Another concern I have is with the Bluebell newbie in that she is VERY flighty presently and I think, if attacked, she may well take off and get over the chicken run fence as it's not that high. I do intend to clip a wing but last time I attempted to pick her up, you should have heard the noise she made - you would have thought I was trying to kill her! I thought I would give her a bit of time to get used to me - she is coming around - it's amazing what mixed corn can do.


Anyhow, thanks again for offering advice - tis much appreciated.

Gorsty

[Suechooks]

You're welcome!
You might find they decide for themselves when they'd like to go in with the grown ups!

[petal]

Just deleted your other thread

Snadger - were you rude?
must admit never any problems here as cockerels do not allow nastiness amongst the hens.

[baldrick]

You're welcome!
You might find they decide for themselves when they'd like to go in with the grown ups!

yes Rottie and Wellie my 12 week olds escaped from their run adjacent to the big girls. I was frantic, looked for them til dark then gave up and distraught went to shut the big girls away. Rottie was in the nest box and Wellie was perched on the roof of the big house! Wings clipped and order restored until they are off growers!

[Gorsty]

Morning folks

Thought I'd let you all know how the newbies are getting on....

I decided to let them meet one another out in the free range area and only when I'm around to referee. In all honesty it hasn't been too bad for the newbies cos they can outrun the others BUT they have been caught a few times and have learnt respect pretty quickly!

This morning I've put the newbie's pen/run right up against the Warren's pen so there's only mesh separating them so they have to get used to one another when I'm not around.

I shall keep them like this for a while before putting the newbies in the Warrens pen.

Regards

Gorsty