Adding youngins to main coop

[madmantrapper]

I added my twelve week olds to the main coop a couple days ago. There was not to much commotion. I have two roosters that I thought might be trouble but it didn't seem to bother them. Today I go out and find two of the youngins in the run kind of off to themselves hugging the fence. One flew over the 11 foot high fence while I was standing there. I caught her and put her back in the coop. I just went out again to check on them and the run in hte run is dead withits head about tore off. It was hen that did it, she is covered with blood. What do you think I should do? Get the hen out or separate them?

 

[TurkeyMountainChickens]

Yikes! I am very sorry.

I would separate the hen. A few days in solitary and she'll loose her place in the pecking order. She may be more subdued/better behaved when she returns. Either that or you could find her a new home.

But you should definitely not just leave her in with the rest. You certainly don't want behavior like that spreading in your flock!

In the meantime, can you put the young birds into a cage? I use a 4x8 chicken wire pen that I keep in the chicken run. If you give them a few weeks to get used to each other through the chicken wire that might help.

I hope things improve in your flock!

 

[madmantrapper]

Yes I was thinking I would get rid of the hen, I don't think she lays anymore anyway.

 

[girlychick]

Um.. Im a little confused did one of your chickens kill the youngsters?
I am really worried we are adding youngsters 9 weeks next week....

Wait was it one of the roosters?
I am so confused and worried!!

 

[madmantrapper]

12 week old chicks, fully feathered. And yes a one year old hen killed one of them so far.

 

[Matt A NC]

It is risky putting young birds in with adults. It is best to wait till they are about the same size.

Matt

 

[girlychick]

Quote:

Are your chickens normally violent?

 

[madmantrapper]

Only 1 rooster is slightly aggresive, never had trouble with a hen.