A couple of chicken issues

[Chickymama0505]

Hi,
I have asked some questions and read some articles already posted about chicks and intergrading with existing chickens and how to do it etc. However, I have more questions haha. So, long story short, I bought two barred rock chicks back in February (I live in Maryland). I already have chickens that are 14 months old. I tried to intergrade them, and it seemed to be working ok, even though the big girls kept chasing the new ones around. Well, about 2 weeks ago one of the new chicks died, so I am down to one new chick and the other 3 are the 14 month old. My husband and I went away for 4 days and when we got back my father (who was taking care of the chickens) said that the big girls attacked the new chick and she now has missing feathers and a small hole in her head. I decided to get two more chicks thinking that she needed one close to her age now that shes alone. I got two more barred rock just in case one didn't make it. So, my first question is...is that a mistake?. I haven't put the new chicks in with her yet because its supposed to heavily rain tonight and don't want to drown the new new ones. Second question, since I found out about the attack I have tried to separate her from the big girls but she keeps flying back to the yard and to the coop she has slept in and eaten in. I am afraid that I am going to be in the same position with her and the new chicks like her and the big girls. What can I do?. When she leaves her area that we blocked off for her, the big girls still chase her around, I cant really tell if they are going to leave her alone now, now that they have drawn blood on her. Any info can help really. I know its a long situation but I just need some answers and help. Thank you!

 

[Ms Clucky]

Spray the big chickens with water from a spray bottle every time they chase her. Not in the head, just on the body. Dry them off when they go to roost, but maybe they will stop doing it after a while.

 

[aart]

With separation.... well, any cops/runs/pens,
you have to make sure they cannot get out and nothing else can get in.
How did the chick die?
How old are the new chicks..all 3 of them?

You now have a double integration situation.
I'd integrate the chicks together,
then once they are settled integrate them with the 14mo's.
Pics of your coops and runs might help garner some viable suggestions.

Here's some tips that might help.....
Integration Basics:

It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

 

[Chickymama0505]

With separation.... well, any cops/runs/pens,
you have to make sure they cannot get out and nothing else can get in.
How did the chick die?
How old are the new chicks..all 3 of them?

You now have a double integration situation.
I'd integrate the chicks together,
then once they are settled integrate them with the 14mo's.
Pics of your coops and runs might help garner some viable suggestions.

Here's some tips that might help.....
Integration Basics:

It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

The three new chicks are 8 weeks and 1 1/2 weeks old. Is it safe to put the 8 week old with the 1 1/2 week olds?

 

[aart]

I think you've got some 'Chicken Juggling' to do!
I'd put the chicks in separate, but adjacent enclosures,
so they can see each other but not touch.
Where are the 1.5 wo's now, what do they have for heat?

Again, knowing what you have for coops and runs, dimensions and pics, would help immensely.

Also...Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[Chickymama0505]

The 1 week old chicks are in a brooder in our mud room with a heat lamp. And I am located in Maryland. It is 68 degrees out right now. The area where I’d be putting them blocked off from the big girls is 3ft x 1 1/2 feet. With a nice dog house that the 8 week old chick uses now for a coop at night

 

[rosemarythyme]

You really need to post photos of the set up as everyone's set up is different, and maybe we can see possible changes or improvements that you haven't considered.