I am adding 4 new birds to my flock - 2- 6wk buff orp pullets, 1 - 6wk d'uccle pullet, and 1- 8 wk silkie cockerel. They are so friendly, like puppies. I have been putting the newbies inside of the run with my 2 older silkie hens, while my larger birds in the exhisting flock free ranges around the run for the last few days. My 12 wk EE pullets and my silkies are friendly with the newbies and seem to enjoy them. My bantam cochin pullet, RIR pullet, and EE cockerel (also 12 wks) seem have it out for the newbies. It need to get the newbies into the coop without any of them getting hurt. I have chicks due to hatch next week and I will need the pen for the babies. Today, I put them all together and whenever these older birds went after the newbies, I sprayed them with the hose on the feet. Finally, all the birds calmed down, but I am nervous to put them ALL in the coop together over night. I brought the newbies back in the pen in the garage for the night. Should I take the aggressive birds out for a few days and let the newbies settle with the friendlier birds? I am not really happy that my bantam cochin and RIR are being like this towards the younger birds. I guess I thought that there would be some kind of maternal instinct to somewhat care for them. What should I do?
