Assimilating chickens into a flock, but they are afraid.

[Lucy63me]

I have two larger chickens and three smaller chickens. I am wanting the smaller and larger chickens to merge into the same flock. There is very little difference in size between the two groups. My problem is that the younger chickens are afraid of the older chickens. When the older chickens are around the younger chickens' coop, the younger ones are afraid to come out and get a drink. There are several solutions, including simply moving the food and water into their coop, but I would like to find a way for these chickens to merge into the same group instead of separating themselves. The older chickens aren't being mean to the younger ones, it's just the younger ones are too afraid to socialize.

Does anyone have any suggestions for my problem?
Thanks.

 

[sumi]

How long have you been trying to integrate the two groups? If you only introduced them recently the younger ones may simply need more time to get used to the older flock. It is good to hear that the older ones are not being aggressive towards the young ones at least. That would definitely help. In the meantime, make sure the young ones get enough to eat and drink, even if it means feeding and watering them in or just outside the coop for awhile.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

In my experience, younger hens don't really integrate into the flock for quite a while. In fact, I have a group that I integrated several months ago, and most of them still aren't roosting on the perches with the older hens. They sleep on the floor. They get feed and water and come into the coop just fine, but they are still two separate flocks.

This happens every year when I move pullets into the main flock. For the first summer at least, the pullets make their own separate flock.

I agree with sumi, make sure they can get food and water, and don't worry about it much.

 

[Mrs. K]

Time is what you need, even when broody hen raise them with the flock. Then they are part of the flock, but will still tend to hang together a bit more than with the big girls until spring the following year. I have heard that having a rooster helps, but I still saw the slight separation. Nothing to worry about.

Mrs K

 

[Lucy63me]

I haven't been trying all that long. I've made about three attempts and then gave up for fear that they wouldn't get enough water to drink as we are having 100 degree days here routinely. That is my biggest worry is that they don't seem to be willing to come out of the coop to drink. It is a coop with a bottom floor and a top floor and the big girls block the exit at the bottom so they stay at the top. I've opened the top so that they can bypass the older ones but they don't seem to be willing to even try. I go out and protect them from the older ones and they will go out and drink then(a lot) but I don't want them to get used to having to have me there for them to be willing to drink.

 

[Lucy63me]

Thanks for your assistance. It already seems to be getting better. I went out just a bit ago and they've swapped coops. Given that they have to pass two water stations to do that, I'm thinking they are doing fine. Thanks for your help. Time apparently is the answer.