Pecking Order and Integration of the New Chickens
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.พ. 2025
- **You do see some pecking order/spats within the flock, but nothing dangerous nor bloody nor abnormal for chicken behavior!!!**
RSM shows you the first few days with all eight chickens together in Jurasschic Park. Our backyard flock is learning where everyone belongs in the pecking order, which is a normal part of flock life. It's so beautiful to have all of our little hens under the same roof (literally), so get a real live demonstration of pecking order, flock integration, and life with eight happy hens.
I'm grateful that you actually showed the PECKING order in process. You are doing a wonderful job, thanks for sharing.
Introduce your new hens in a separate pen for a few days & you won't go through this..
🐓👍🐔I thought all in all it wasn't bad💚Thanks for sharing...looking forward to more videos❗❗❗
Thanks! That’s how I feel too. It’s not fun to watch but it’s nothing shocking or out of the ordinary for flock behavior.
Our silver laced Wyandotte is usually the first one too to let the new girls know who momma is.
I just love your commentary! Thanks for these videos.
Thanks!
I did the same thing.....introduced 3 new girls to my 5. I would recommend a second set of water and food source. It really helped my girls. Especially since your sources are in a small enclosed area.
We've added to our flock. The old group is a year old and is 18 girls. We have another 40 that are growing. We'll combine the groups when they are the same size. That will be an interesting weekend!
Oh wow!!!! You’ll have to take video!!! That’s going to be amazing to watch. And I’m interested to see how the old group will act since they will be so… outnumbered. 😄
I am sooooo impressed with how well Penny is doing. Jealous too as my dog is driving me nuts trying to get to my chickens!
Oh thank you! Yes I’m proud of her. Ironically she goes nuts when in the house - when she sees the squirrels go near the chickens! 😆
It took my dogs months to get over the hens and figure out they are apart of our pack now.
I would only let them near the fence line with a leash and anytime they shows disinterest by looking away from the hens, I rewarded them. Eventually I was able to allow them in the coop and they were only allowed to sit or lay down and they would be rewarded when looking away and not being so attentive to the hens movements and noises. They were not allowed to explore the coop area whatsoever. Eventually I could get farther and farther away from my dogs while doing chores with the chickens and they would stay in lay position and not move unless I said so. Now they can go in the coop without a leash and walk around. My dogs are a breed that are noise and movement sensitive and like to hunt. So it was a while(6-7 months training), but it can be done.
Nope going to have to mix my babies with my 2 year olds here next week was waiting for this video to see how it should go with pecking orders. Ty so much for taking the time to do these videos it’s has been very helpful
Ms. Muffet is now an internet sensation
Lol yep! You saw it here first folks 🤩
I am getting three new hens that are going to be introduced this weekend to my three Silver Laced Wyandottes.. and I am not going to lie, I am nervous.. with that being said gonna introduce through a separate fencing for about a week then sneak them in at night .. wish me luck
Yes that’s a great idea! That’s what I would do too. And if my two Wyandottes (one passed and then I got another) are any indication, it’s going to be great! They and my barred rock have been the most chill, and the best leaders without ever getting aggressive. I have lots of content here about how I integrate new birds but that all sounds like a good plan. ✌🏻❤️🐓 And I’m here to help too!
I added one new hen to my other two. It is very hard since they kind of gang up on her. Unfortunately the new hen is a Black Australorp and the older ones are New Hampshires so I am concerned since they are so much bigger than her. It's been a week and there is still some pecking. Each day it gets quieter and today they all ate pecans I cracked with no incidents. Thanks for this video. Very helpful!
Thanks for this Video, I won't lie, I'm nervous about integrating my new Flach to my existing Flach😬
I really appreciate this in case I try next summer to add to my flock....
Yay! And I’m always here to help answer questions. Honestly it is a lot of work and planning while you are quarantining the new birds but once you get everybody together it is so rewarding and fun!
I got a splashed Ameracauna that is actually from the same group I got my first 8 from. She's been in a cage in the run with all the other chickens for a week. I let her out this morning but I'm so paranoid lol I can't stay out there all day but I want to be. 😂 I hope everything is fine. I hate her being 1 vs 8. But she's pretty big. Bigger than our frizzle and leg horn. So hopefully she can integrate nicely.
Oooh let me know! I know those odds aren’t ideal but it might work. Honestly it may come down to their personalities. And you can also try letting her out just an hour or so before sundown. That way they start getting acclimated a little at a time instead of all day. ✌🏻❤️🐓
@@realsimplemama I sat out there for about 40 minutes and it seems like ironically our cross beak gold laced wynedotte is the most annoyed 😂 our light brahma was picking at her a little bit but then I saw our new splash stick up for herself against one of our EEs and our RIR. Lol I think that's a good sign at least, that she can hold her own and maybe won't be at the very bottom so the 1 vs 8 thing won't be too bad. She's currently on top of her cage watching them all now lol
Judging* 🤣 and remember there will be a little pecking order as everyone shuffles themselves around. But there should be no blood and no birds who can’t get to food or water. I have more videos on what’s normal and what’s not! ✌🏻❤️🐓
I’m integrating 2 “new” hens in. I say “new” because they were all in the same flock but I got the other 4, a few months ago. 3 out of the 4 are going after the chickens. And one of the attackers is a Serama going after my giant Brahma.
Oh that’s crazy! ✌🏼❤️🐓
Thank you for this video. I’m new to your channel. I’m a first time chicken keeper. I have one 3-mo old Silkie pullet and a polish rooster that I will integrate with six 2-month old bantams this month. I will introduce them in inside runs side by side for several weeks before actually integrating them. The rooster will be rehomed which I hate but have no choice as I can’t have any roosters in my city. He was supposed to be a pullet. I have a new coop and run being built and the chicks have been in the house in separate rooms as new babies are being quarantined for 30 days.
Maybe you can remove some rocks in your garden to give softer ground for your chickens. I have calluses on the bottom of both feet, and I know it would be painful for me to walk on so much pebbles even with shoes on. Anyway, I really enjoy watching your videos. Since I started watching, you’ve had 3 different yards and coops. I guess this is the most current judging by the date of video. Keep making these videos. At your suggestion, I will add PDZ to my coop with shavings. I’ll be using deep litter system as my coop is built after the design of the Carolina coops.
Hi.
Given that the pecking order is surely going to happen, one may think theres nothing to do about it, because its natural. But as some breeders say, I think we CAN actually do something about it. Sure, it will not prevent it but itll lessen the stress to the chickens that are being bullied. They suggest to do gradual exposure as follows:
a) Introduce the new chickens to the flock but in an attached pen, so they can see one another and get used to it in time (I think they suggest 7 days or so)
b) Integrate the new chickens with the others, all in 1 pen. It should be in the morning so they start the day together. We need to add extra waterers and feeders. In the evening, make sure they all roost together naturally. If not, WE should put them to roost.
Congrats on your big run!
Best wishes.
Hi! Yes I have a whole playlist that involves integration - it only protects the new flock from being bullied, but it protects the existing flock from potential disease or parasites. I actually go a step further, and when I introduce the new chickens, I keep them at least 20 feet away from my existing run, and I also treat them for worms and various parasites before I let them get close to my current chickens. Thanks for the suggestions! ✌🏼❤️🐓
@@realsimplemama Youre welcome! You make a good point: prevention of contagious disease. I meant bullying only. Success!
mine are alot worse than this the four months old (just as big as the adults) they were going at it, and alot of feather flying and screaming of the younger ones being attacked. yours is calm compared to what is happening now, it has settled down some, but there is still interactions that are scarey, despite being free ranged and it looks like some are going out of their way to attack some of them, when all are in the run and free range.
Oh no, I am so sorry. Would it be possible for you to divide them back up again so that they share a fence or some thing, but you put a dividing wall through the middle? Other people have also suggested having more than one food and water station. How else can I help you?
@@realsimplemama I have four feeding stations, they really go to town when they are trying to roost for the night, the ones actually doing it more now is the speckled sussex and rock wo are at the bottom of the pecking order. my little hamburg got beat up, (but no blood or anything) and wanted to get away by getting on the hardware cloth wire up high so i built her a small roost that only she can fit. she is just so cute. it has been about a week and a half since I put them in they are allthe same sizes, but doesnt seem to matter. I am hoping the adults will settle down, time will tell I do have two coops and I put it in the run incase they want to reuse it but they did not show any interest in it.
I hope it calms down too. ❤️🤞🏼 Keep me posted.
I have 2 new baby chicks that are 6-7 weeks old, and my 4 hens are establishing their pecking order on them. I have them in an enclosed pen so they don't get hurt since they're obviously smaller. Have you ever introduced smaller pullets? If so, what age did you start having them without an enclosed pen?
Hi! In my experience, they need to be roughly the same size as your hens, and there need to be more of the new guys (or at least fair odds). For example, I wouldn’t be able to successfully integrate two new pullets in with ten full-grown hens. ✌🏻❤️🐓
We have three girls that are 4 1/2 years old and we just got four baby chicks that are about a week and a half old. We have them in the outside coop with the big chickens in a separate pan with a heat lamp. They are able to see each other all of the time, but not get to each other. I am so scared about integrating them. How old should they be when I do that? Some say that I should wait until they are fully feathered others say wait until they are the same size as the old hens. I do not have enough room in that separate cage for them to be the same size as the old hens before I get them out of there. Oh I wish you were my neighbor. Please help me.🙏❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️ do I have to worm and treat these little baby chicks for parasites? If so, how do I do that?🙏❤️🙏🙏❤️🙏❤️😖😖😖😖😖😖
Hey there - I’m not sure about deworming chicks because they’re still so young. I’m not comfortable telling you, other than you could always wait until they’re grown and deworm everyone together. It also depends on where you got the chicks and what they do there. I would keep them separate as long as possible, and start doing things like I did where you feed treats really close to each other and let them out a little at a time. Extra water and food, etc. It’ll be a process but it should still be ok. ✌🏻❤️🐓
If you have a rooster it's not your problem, it's his. If you don't then your hens are looking to you to hold them back. In nature one of the roosters will intervene before blood is drawn.
What are those black poles in your run used for? Oh wait… t-posts, they looked black, what are you using them for?
Hi! I have the hooked stakes that hold up potted plants (hanging baskets) - the big green stakes are to hold up the bird netting. Think of the poles that would support a circus tent. I have videos showing how we built everything in my “Coop and Run” playlist. ✌🏻❤️🐓
@@realsimplemama I need to find that video so I can see how you did the bird netting!
It looks pretty smooth..
They’re doing great. Still a little bit of “reminders” but no injuries, no one is starving or abused. I’m proud!
What kind of chicken is Ms Muffet? I have four like her (two roos) and two hens that are called Sapphire Gems. To me they look the same as Lavender Orpingtons. ????
Hi! You’re right she’s a sapphire gem too. Ms Muffet is very slender and tall while Orps tend to be… rounder 😄😄😄 and fluffier
I'm going through this right now. Sometime one will lay down and let the older chicken peck it which I find as weird
Curious to know how the 8 full grown hens fit in your coop?
Hi! I’ll show you one night. But honestly there’s plenty of roost bar room! I could probably do 10 in there. And hens always share nesting boxes anyway so that is irrelevant. But of course they need plenty of yard space!
I goofed! But I'm a new chicken Mom. I list a hen to an owl. I was heartbroken. So I got another hen from a friend. Just one. And now I've learned that you're supposed to add in at least two. I've been sitting g with them in the yard after work. Nothing too bad, but I was wo during how long it might take to shake things out? Any ideas?
Hey! I’d say 7-14 days. Depends on a lot of stuff like how much food and water, how much room they have outside the coop, if you have roosters, etc. It’s inevitable that there will be some adjusting but if you see blood, bald spots, or if the new girl is afraid to come out or eat/drink, you need to intervene. Email me if you need help! theMama@realsimplemama.com
Please help! My 2 laying Barred rocks females, & my black laced red Wyandotte rooster is kicking my 4 silver laced Wyandotte pullets who are about to start laying any day, 2 laying hens are kicking the 4 pullets out of the coop at night! I know this is pecking order but how to I solve this problem please!!
Hey there. I’m sorry that this is happening. I’d need more information but I’d start by making sure you have plenty of roost bar space for everyone or adding a different bar. I’d also mix up some things out in the chicken run to keep everyone busy - I have videos here of diversions but you can add a bag of dirt, move some things around, etc. ✌🏻❤️🐓
@@realsimplemama they are fine during the day! Yes I have one very long roost bar. and it seems the older ladies wont allow the younger on the same roost. I will make a lower roost today ty so much!
Hi! Good luck to you - chickens actually use their pecking order on the roost bars too so the older hens and rooster will probably go up higher and let the pullets on the lower one. In here if you need more help! ✌🏻❤️🐓 theMama@realsimplemama.com
I'm about to cancel my order of 4 new rtl hens because I'm so overwhelmed with the different ways to integrate them into my already established group of 6 girls. Did you bring them home and instantly put them in at night? Or where they caged in a separate area for a few weeks first?
Hey! Email me if you’d like to chat in detail. I keep them totally separated for 1.5-2 weeks. That gives them time to get used to the new sounds, but is mostly to protect your existing flock of any incoming disease or parasites. theMama@realsimplemama.com
We only had one Hen left after one died from something unknown and another passed a few months later from flystrike.
We brought in two poults bc we didn’t want our hen to be alone and the adult hen that we have isn’t letting the new comers do anything. She isn’t letting them eat or drink (we have two waterers but if she sees them at one, she goes over there to run them off) nor will she let them come up to us. She isn’t injuring them, but it’s been a few days of this and I’m wondering when will this stop or is this bullying?
I’m not sure. It sounds like the adult is stressed but at the same time the others need to have quality of life. Can they be separated for a week or so? Or if someone had to be locked up I’d lock up the lone adult who’s being a bully. I’m having to do that right now 🤦🏻♀️
@@realsimplemama Separating them isn't a choice at the moment given we are moving rn, but we decided that everyday for at least 30 minutes before they go to sleep, we will lock up alpha hen and allow the young ones to eat their fill. Slowly alpha hen is allowing them to eat and drink now which is good.
One thing we noticed that is different is that she jumps on my husbands back and she jumped on mine today as well. She has never done this before. Is this a display of dominance? It's just strange bc she is an adult hen.
I totally understand. I know we all do the best we can with our own circumstances. Her jumping on you is either a curiosity thing (I have one who does this but she’s aptly named Carmen Hendiego and is just incredibly curious) or like you said a dominance thing. I’d carry her around like a baby to shame her (but keep her head above her chest) without hurting her. And I’m glad you’re doing what you’re doing!
How long did you quarantine your new girls?
2.5 weeks
A friend bought me those same shoes.
Oh man I need more friends like that! 😆 I had to buy my own 😕
I'm animal sciencist... and like new chicken genes... they are so big...
Lesley she really wanna dominate...
Actually I'm new to your this channel.. your flock is beutiful
I need to put new babies in with 2 and a half year olds. In a couple months. Have you done that before?
I would be careful adding non-grown birds with grown birds, that’s supposed to be really difficult if everyone isn’t the same basic size. Is that what you mean?
Oh for sure on it’s hard to see too.
Interesting. It is hard to watch
I know. For me too. But I am not able to sit out with them 24 hours a day so this is going to happen for a few more days until they figure it out. I trust their instincts!
My girls did the same when I sold some boys. And boys did the same but more aggressive.