Introducing new chickens - any advice?

[MrsDaffy]

We've just got two new chickens which we're trying to introduce to our existing two birds. Existing girls are over a year old - new ones are 13 and 16 weeks. The little one is getting the brunt of the pecking as she is quite young. We've now separated the run so they can see each other during the day but put them all into the coop together at night.
Yesterday was the first day and there was a lot of bullying - much calmer today with the separator. We're planning on keeping them separated till the weekend then try them together again. Does anyone have any advice to make the transition smoother?

[Scarlet]

It's not advisable to put the two together until the little ones are 18werks old really, they are much too young to put up with bullying and could get quite hurt. They should also be on a different feed to laying hens. Growers pellets.
When you do introduce them it's wise to make sure your older hens have been wormed recently and run them side by side for at least a week. Put them in at bedtime.

[muddled]

Yep....I agree with scarlet on all points!

They're just babies really and already stressed by moving, I'm afraid the seperator needs to stay up for a while yet. Do the big girls get to free range at all?
If they can be let out, the little ones can have the whole run for a while.

For future reference, I always find introductions easier if I introduce more new chooks than are in the coop...so, last month I introduced 3 younger but bigger new girls to my two old but little bantams.

[Nicos]

Have you got some purple spray handy?
Just in case one bleeds and they concentrate their bullying efforts on the blooded area

I once had a psycho chick ( male fortunately so he eventually went into the pot) but he used to peck at his toes and try and eat them

Blood everywhere- it was the only thing which stopped him and the other birds from focussing on pecking at the damaged toes
( and yes they eventually healed )

[kathyd]

I made sure there was somewhere for the newbies to hide, but it must have an exit as well as an entrance in case the older birds follow them in and trap them! And watch them at feeding times to make sure they're getting their share of the food .

[Stan79]

Separate feeder and water?

[MrsDaffy]

Thanks for the advice - we'll keep them separate for a while longer. They do seem more used to each other through the divider and the newbies look more settled and are eating, grooming, scratting about - their tails are looking perkier. But there's still pecking in the coop at night. We were told they should cope but obviously it's going to take a little longer. We do have some spray (made sure we have that in!) and yes to most of the suggestions above so looks like we're on the right track. Just wondered how long it usually takes for them to settle in?

[Scarlet]

I run my new ones side by side from about 10 weeks to 18 but they also sleep in a different coop. I then introduce at night when their asleep. Never had any trouble.
"They" would tell you it's fine, they wsnt to get rid of their young. As a rule of thumb you shouldn't really be putting them together as soon as you've purchased them, they could be carrying a disease that you don't want your old flock to catch.

[MrsDaffy]

Unfortunately we don't have the space for another coop so we can't keep them completely separate - will just have to be extra vigilant and keep fingers crossed. Have also got some Growers pellets now. Will keep them separate till the little one bulks up a bit and can take care of herself better. We do have a coop camera so we can see them in there - after an initial bit of arty bargy they settle down and I get them out before they start up in the morning.