Bullying in the coop

[Pickled Egg]

Hello all

Last night I put my 10 six week old Barred Rock and 12 five week old Chantecler chicks into their coop for the first time.

Everyone seemed a little disoriented but otherwise happy. The Barred Rocks were more outgoing in checking out the space and the Chanteclers eventually stopped standing in a large group by a wall and moved around the coop too.

When I checked on them this morning I noticed the Barred Rock were at times keeping the Chantecler away from the food (there are two feeders, so more than enough for everyone).

Plus, the Chanteclers were keeping to themselves and not moving around the coop, probably because when they did one of the Barred Rocks would chase or peck at them. From the look of things this morning, the Barred Rock have claimed the space for themselves.

Is this normal? I know chickens have a pecking order, is this what is going on?

I worry that because we kept the two breeds in separate brooders for the last 3 weeks (due to space constraints) they have not bonded to each other.

Any suggestions on how to help the Chanteclers adapt to life in the coop with the other chicks?

Thanks!

k

 

[debilorrah]

As long as their is no blood drawn they are fine. They are just working out their place in the flock.