4 weekers and 9 weekers

[aart]

This integrating babies is not for the faint of heart.

No, it is not. Just hang in there and keep trying different diversions.

I see a stack of pallets in the background, those might work better than the pieces of plywood.

An chance you can let the littles have the run of the run(haha) without the older birds in there?
It will help them get used to the lay of the land without being harassed.

Go back in your woods tomorrow and rake some stuff up, to put in your run. This will give your chickens something to do, besides chase the little ones. I can't tell if your run is some sand or it's just dirt, but deep litter in your run would work well.

Grab some big old branches too.

 

[LindseyC]

I would do something with the plywood leaning against the fence, at least secure it so it cannot be blown over. Trust me on this, it is not what you want to find laying on a hen/chick.

Yes, we have 2 “lean to” spots with plywood. They are screwed to secure them. Thank you though!!

 

[LindseyC]

No, it is not. Just hang in there and keep trying different diversions.

I see a stack of pallets in the background, those might work better than the p

An chance you can let the littles have the run of the run(haha) without the older birds in there?
It will help them get used to the lay of the land without being harassed.


Grab some big old branches too.

Thank you. We may try shutting the big girls up for a bit today and give it a go. I feel that they have plenty of hidey holes. I’ll be adding the dog crate today, so that will help. I’ll see what we can do about a branch. We’ve got plans for a man made chicken tree for them to hang out on at some point, but a big branch will do in the meantime. We ended up closing off the brooder last night. I was too worried, but I went out bright and early this morning to let them out for a full day of round 2. Thanks everyone! I welcome all suggestions.

 

[aart]

A multi branched branch set on the ground can offer cover for the littles and everyone can climb on it...I can see it in my mind, have seen pics, but might be hard to find one.

 

[llombardo]

Mine are about the same age difference--this thread has been really helpful. I'm actually taking off of work for a couple days to observe and integrate.

 

[LindseyC]

Yes! The Chicken Whisperers have been extremely helpful.

 

[llombardo]

Yes! The Chicken Whisperers have been extremely helpful.

The size difference is throwing me off. 3 out of the 4 younger chicks are brahmas. They are bigger then the 4th one which I have no clue what she is but she was hanging out in the bin with the brahmas and I couldn't leave her behind....I have sucker written in permanent marker on my forehead.

 

[LindseyC]

The size difference is messing with me, too. My older 8 are huge in comparison to my younger 6. My little Delaware is the biggest of the littles and not too far behind the older ones, size wise. My little langshan and my bantams, though... they’re just so little. It’s hard to watch. They don’t seem any worse for the wear.. after they get chased a bit, they go right back to pecking and acting like little chickens. I just have to go back in the house because if I’m out there watching for too long, it stresses me out.

 

[LindseyC]

Just checking in to say... no blood, missing feathers, or deaths. I’d call that a success. The charging and chasing is still happening every once in a while. They do get their breaks though when the older girls chill and nap for a bit or just decide to let them be at one end while they’re at the other. Will the frequency slowly subside or will that only happen as they grow bigger?

 

[aart]

Will the frequency slowly subside or will that only happen as they grow bigger?

It will ebb and flow, pecking order is ever changing,
should lessen pretty quickly with such young birds.
When adding chicks to adults, the chicks will stay a 'sub-flock' until they start laying and work their way into the pecking order...not sure with 4 & 9wo's.