hi guys. i have 6 laying hens, 8 two-month old chicks (mutt LF breeds), and 4 one-month old chicks (1 EE and 3 silkies). i have let the two-month olds out with the laying hens and some of the big girls picked on the babies and were pretty mean. then i have also let the one-month chicks in with the two-month chicks and they were really mean to the one-month olds!!!
keep in mind that the laying hens have free range in my back yard. and the older chicks have been in a separate grow-out pen with their own teen-age coop. the littlest chicks stay inside, but go outside all day (weather permitting) in a spacious bird cage set smack up next to the teen-age pen. this way EVERYONE gets to know each other, but they are all safe. however.....i am still having integration problems. my other choice is to put 3 of my meanest layers into a pot pie and THEN i can probably let the teen out to freerange...and then put the 4 babies into the grow-out coop. any advice please?
