Brand New Chicken Owner

[megan78]

I have recently gotten a Rooster, a hen and 2 small birds. Couple questions : How do you know if the small ones are hens or roosters? The one small one won't get up on the perch at night by its self we have to do it. Is that normal? Last question (for today anyway lol) Is it normal for the older female to peck at the little ones?

 

[ChicKat]

Welcome to BYC forum......

Congratulations on being a new chicken owner.

It is pretty normal for older chickens to peck at chickens smaller than they are. And depending upon how much smaller the littler ones are, it could be that they need your help getting on the perch for the night--until they learn. --- Hopefully the pecking isn't hurting the littler ones, and they can get away as needed. IF any of the small ones get hurt...you will want to separate them right away. If chickens see blood they will peck a lot.

Usually you should only put birds together that are the same size.... With plenty of space and places to hide, I have seen a successful mix of birds of different ages...all penned up together.

You may have too few females for your rooster, so you may want to get more chickens... You don't need a rooster, remember for your hens to lay eggs..... The suggestion to need more chickens is pretty welcome to people on this forum.

Welcome and keep your questions coming. People here will be able to give you good answers. Congratulations on your new chickens.

 

[megan78]

Thank you so much!!!

 

[Fierlin1182]

Hello!

Hmm, it's pretty hard to tell the gender of chicks for sure until they get older, but you can post a thread in What breed or gender is this? and there'll be people who can help you identify.

As for roosting, my little ones didn't get the hang of it until they were a couple of months old. They'll probably need a bit of help at first, we had to pick them up off the ground and place them on the roost too.

Pecking is perfectly normal between chickens of different ages. Just the older hen showing everyone who's boss. Our younger chicks really got it when we put them in with the rest of the flock, but as long as they are not being stopped from eating and there's no blood, you're okay.

Good luck and enjoy your chickens!