Big Ladies pecking at the LIttle Ladies

[flyingjen]

I have 3 older ladies (2 BO & 1 Americauna) and have just added to 2 Barred Rocks. All 5 are now in the old dog run and get along decently during the day. The 3 stick together and the 2 stick together in close proximity. The older ladies will chase the littles away from their food, but so far while they are all outside peace is maintained. At night however, is when it gets ugly. The 2 BO's chase and peck the BR's when they littles try to go into the coop. A friend told me to put the BR's in first and then when it is completely dark let the big ladies in and when they wake up in the morning they aren't as startled. It worked for a couple of days, but now the little won't even go into the coop because the big ladies peck and pull feathers. Am I just being impatient for them to all get along or with the big ladies harm my little ladies? Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

When adding new birds to a flock, it needs to be done over time. Slowly. So put the new birds in a cage or fenced off area, but within the flock at all times. Everybody sees, nobody touches. Leave the new birds in this manner for several weeks. After about 3 weeks, you can mix them in. Things should be quieter. But always provide extra feeding and watering stations for new birds. Being lower in the pecking order, they are going to be chased off. And make sure they sleep in the coop at night, even if it is on the floor. Don't let them sleep outside. Things will get better, but introduce them in a slow manner over a few weeks time.

Good luck with your new birds and welcome to our flock!

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC!

Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

X2 on what Two Crows said.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! X3 what TwoCrows said.

 

[mysterious14u2c]

Hello and welcome. I had the se problem when I wanted to transfer my younger chicks into cage with 2 older Bantams. They would peck and chase him so I removed him. Someone at local feed store told me to put them in there and watch for 30 minutes. I put 2 of bigger chicks in there, did not work. Bantams chased and pecked at them so I put all 9 chicks in there and would kind of toss them onto Bantams. It worked because the Hens stopped attacking the chicks because they thought the chicks had started defending theirselves. Now they are one happy family without any problems

 

[mysterious14u2c]

Oh I was told that the chickens already there before adding more chickens are just testing them, trying to determine who's in charge

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC - bigger chickens pick on newer/smaller chickens. It's chicken society. As long as they are not drawing blood, let them work things out. Provide feed and water in several places to assure that the new birds are getting enough of both.

 

[drumstick diva]

I agree with 2Crows advice- they oldies are trying to keep their pecking order intact - when you add new birds they have to teach them respect. At least until the littles grow up and teach the oldies, that they are taking over. And so it goes...

 

[flyingjen]

Thanks everyone! Sounds like I am doing everything right, just a little impatient. The little ladies seem to go into the coop first at night and the older ladies I put in when it is completely dark so that is working out ok and during the day the run is big enough for all to have their own space. Now I just watch and wait... I appreciate all the advice.

 

[gander007]