2 months in and new chickens still scared

[PTA Chicks]

I have 7 Lohmann layers and 3 Ameracauna /Easter egger (still not 100 sure Breeder says one thing,others say another) I am 99.9% sure the A are 2 males and a female. My Lohmann chase the Ameracauna. The Ameracauna are really scared of them. They're all the same size and have been within sight of eachother for months and free ranging together for 2 months. If the A see the L then they run freaking out and shouting which freaks everyone else out and it's pandemonium for a few minutes. They're still in separate coops because I'm so worried they're going to pick on them in a confined space. The big coop/run where the Lohmann currently are, is 15 meter square of floor space with 2 roosting perches and laying buckets undercover. It's a hoop coop type,very mild weather here,with no closed in coop space. I'm just concerned that their skittish nature is going to cause issues. Was planning on popping them all in the big coop on Friday afternoon after a few hrs free ranging with lots of food and scratch and stand back but keep an eye on them. That way I have the whole weekend before work on Monday again to make sure things settle down. Do you think that will work?

 

[Mrs. K]

I would lock the Lohman out of 'their' coop, with the Americanas in the coop during the day for a couple of days. It will be a pain, but it will allow the Americanas to get used to the big coop without being chased for their lives. I think if you let them out towards dark, they will naturally return to their original coop, and L will go to theirs.

Then when you get to the week-end, let the Lohman's into the big coop with the Americanas. Supervise this, a squirt gun or hose can help. But the urge to go to roost will be nearly as strong as the urge to fight. And if your set up is such that while free ranging the L can see the A in the coop/run and the sky does not fall, they kind of loose that "this is my territory and I will defend it" attitude.

I would expect the L to go to roost first, and you will probably have to encourage the A to go in there, as they will want to go to their "home' coop. Get down there early in the morning, and give them space.

Mrs K

 

[PTA Chicks]

Only problem with this is that I'm at work all day M-Th so I can't let them wander around the coop all day. We have popped then in there a few times on weekends during free range time and let them wander around,even put one on the roosting perches but they don't stay for long,maybe half an hour. However they do know where the food and water bowls are.