Three Little Chickens
In the Brooder
- Dec 1, 2021
- 17
- 14
- 44
Hello everyone! I’m currently trying to get my younger hens in the same run as the older ones, but the older ones chase the little ones sometimes…. I have 2 Hy-line Browns who are 22 weeks old and 1 3/4 Australorp who is 38 weeks old. Then theres the new guys, 1Plymouth Barred Rock, 1 Light Sussex and 2 Sliver Laced Wyandottes they are all 16 weeks.
The pecking order at the moment is
Hy-line
Hy-line
Light Sussex
3/4 Australorp
2 SLW
Plymouth Barred Rock
They each have their own run at the moment which is separated by wire in the middle. That’s been like that for 2 weeks. The young ones are now the same size, except the Light Sussex who is bigger. When I let them into the yard and out of the run, they stay on either sides and seem pretty fine. Sometimes the Hy-lines charge at the younger ones but not that much. As soon as I put them in the same run, the younger ones don’t eat, and are constantly looking over at the older ones. I’ve tried putting the two calmest ones together then slowly adding more, and they were all good. Till I added the two too hens from each side, they don’t really fight but as soon as they are in, everyone else gets tense and the older ones show more dominance and try to peck the others even if they are just lying on the dirt. Is there anything I can do or do I just have to wait it out? Will they hurt eachother?
The pecking order at the moment is
Hy-line
Hy-line
Light Sussex
3/4 Australorp
2 SLW
Plymouth Barred Rock
They each have their own run at the moment which is separated by wire in the middle. That’s been like that for 2 weeks. The young ones are now the same size, except the Light Sussex who is bigger. When I let them into the yard and out of the run, they stay on either sides and seem pretty fine. Sometimes the Hy-lines charge at the younger ones but not that much. As soon as I put them in the same run, the younger ones don’t eat, and are constantly looking over at the older ones. I’ve tried putting the two calmest ones together then slowly adding more, and they were all good. Till I added the two too hens from each side, they don’t really fight but as soon as they are in, everyone else gets tense and the older ones show more dominance and try to peck the others even if they are just lying on the dirt. Is there anything I can do or do I just have to wait it out? Will they hurt eachother?