You may want to try feeding the newcomers first in the morning, if you can get them sorted out...or when you feed them, spread the feed out so that the more timid ones have a place they can get fed and not get chased away by the bully birds. Eventually they should get along with the other ones..but there will always be a pecking order, unfortunately. Most of the time it's about the toughest most aggressive birds are the rulers of the roost.

hi, When ever I've add newbies to the existing group I always add at least 50% more birds. That way they don't all pick on one or two birds (which can be deadly for the newbies). Use 4 or 5 feeding/drinking stations spread them out so old group can't possible keep the newbies from it. Put a lot of things (like old chairs- pails-and the like) so there is something close to hide behind or run around. Give plenty of busy food-whole apples, squash, melons you get the ideal. This distracts the whole group. In a few days they will have adjusted and you can start taking the extra feed/water stations away-1 every 2 or 3 days. The extra hiding things also can be slowly removed. If you have fewer newbies to add, put a wire cage in the center and put the feed/water inside and out side of the cage so all have to eat within view and close to each other in a week or so leave the inner cage's door open late at night when all are roosting and in the AM they will slowly mix and mingle without too much bickering. This is just one way of doing it. Hope this helps-Keep on Chick'en.

^^^^ Good advice from serama....

Yeah, the new birds are going to take a thrashing at first, best you can do is distract the existing flock and try to soothe bruised chickeny feelings. Your old flock is feeling jealous and their status is threatened by the new birds. You can help them adjust and protect the newcomers by acting the part of 'mother hen' and protecting your 'babies' (the new birds), more info here:

http://jackshenhouse.com/VSChickIntroducingNewBirdsToFlock.htm

Chickens do have emotions, and time is what is going to fix things ultimately. The newcomers will have to learn their new place in the flock (usually at the bottom of the pecking order unless an individual goes broody, whereupon she raises her status herself via lots of butt kickin' and growling). Good luck! :)

Velvet ~:>

They are much better now. The newbies seem to fit right into the flock and are laying small eggs now. They only fought for a few days and have settled down, thank goodness!

Hi runningtrails,
I knew they would be all right, when i was new at this bird stuff (if i remember right i had this crazy neighbor that was building a big boat and ranting about a big flood. Funny how one remembers these long ago things and can find the keys you just lay down somewhere) i remember pulling out a few hairs now and again. Just give the village a hoot and we'll come running (in my case a hobble-arthritis). If you would like to see some of my Feathered Friends visit my website. www.virgilwalters.com Glad everything's well. Keep on Chick'en!