[allyboy]

just put 3 young hens in beside our 4 older ones(18 months).old birds are giving them hard time.should we seperate them or let things settle down.help appreciated.

[Chookiechook]

If there is not too much damage to the new ones... I would let them get on with for a few days.

Obviously if there are injuries that are significant, then you will have to think again

I have put two new birds in with my five big girls, and they are pretty scared of them.... but the new ones have decided to keep out of the way and just pop out to feed and drink, then go back inside

They will all be ok soon

[Roughlee Handled]

Make sure you have more that one water point and food point. Have purple spray for any wounds. Leave em to it unless badly.

[allyboy]

thanks for your help guys,things are getting better already.birds are keeping to their own groups so not so much pecking at the new ones,just a bit of chasing away.

[parsleypig]

It sounds like things are going pretty well for you.  We also introduced three new girls to our 18mth olds a couple of weeks ago.  I was worried about the introduction but it has all gone better than expected. The more room they have to avoid each other the better it seems.

I hadn't realised who was top chicken until the introduction but it seems our light sussex, Gloria, is  top of the pecking order.  She lets the new girls know who's boss but it has been no worse than a few plucked feathers so far.  The biggest problem has been bedtime as Gloria sits in the door way and stops the new girls going in.  We have had to resort to putting her in the 'cooler' (a guinea pig run) a few times to allow the new ones a chance to learn what to do at bedtime.

I guess they find their positions in the pecking order eventually.