Chick adjusting problem

[xXChickenTenderXx]

We have six chickens, probably nearly two months by now. We orginally had two chicks who were growing slower and separated them. A few days ago, one of the bigger yellow chicks were put with the two littler ones while she recovered from an injury given by a meaner chicken we called Pecky, although she passed. Anyways, one of the little girls started acting lethargic and died. Since the bigger yellow one was healed and the little brown grew a little more, we put the two in with the bigger chicks. The big yellow one adjusted more quickly since she's the same size and was able to fight for herself; but the little one isn't really adjusting and getting picked on. She isn't extremely smaller, but it's a big enough difference and it doesn't help that she's been separated with the other little one that died for weeks. Anytime she gets pecked at, she runs back to the bigger yellow one and it just breaks my heart. Tomorrow, we are receiving three or four more chicks that are one to two months in age to replace the ones that we lost. Any advice on how to help them all adjust and stop with the bullying?

 

[LaceyJune]

Sadly, that's just how the pecking order works, plus these babies at this age are especially dramatic when being picked on from the older ladies.
But you never want to interfere unless there are of course serious consequences if had drawn blood.
But besides that, you don't want to interfere with the baby chicks since you want them to engage with the rest of the flock, but if they dont have that exsperience then they will likely want to dominate over your flock resulting into aggression. So, id just advise that you let them find their place on their own joining your flock.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Will you integrate the new ones gradually, using a "see no touch" method for a week or two? That will make it much smoother and a lot less bullying and pecking going on.

 

[xXChickenTenderXx]

What would you recommend for the "see no touch" method? Last time we had a flock we never had to separate or add any more chickens so this is new to me.

 

[BirdWrangler]

What would you recommend for the "see no touch" method? Last time we had a flock we never had to separate or add any more chickens so this is new to me.

I’ve done that method by either placing a piece of wire fencing in the middle of the brooder, or even having the chicks in two separate dog crates facing each other

 

[Ridgerunner]

We have six chickens, probably nearly two months by now. We orginally had two chicks who were growing slower and separated them.

Were those two being beat up and abused? If not, separating them was a mistake. Size is not what is important, maturity is. It is fairly common for bantams to dominate full sized chickens. If you can raise them together life is better.

A few days ago, one of the bigger yellow chicks were put with the two littler ones while she recovered from an injury given by a meaner chicken we called Pecky, although she passed. Anyways, one of the little girls started acting lethargic and died. Since the bigger yellow one was healed and the little brown grew a little more, we put the two in with the bigger chicks. The big yellow one adjusted more quickly since she's the same size and was able to fight for herself; but the little one isn't really adjusting and getting picked on. She isn't extremely smaller, but it's a big enough difference and it doesn't help that she's been separated with the other little one that died for weeks.

The little one has to be fully integrated since it was raised separately. The other one has the benefit of having spent time with the others. They are going to pick on the stranger.

If the younger one is being beat up and injured, you have an issue. Otherwise, if it has found a way to stay with the others without getting injured I'd leave them alone.

Anytime she gets pecked at, she runs back to the bigger yellow one and it just breaks my heart. Tomorrow, we are receiving three or four more chicks that are one to two months in age to replace the ones that we lost. Any advice on how to help them all adjust and stop with the bullying?

Your first ones are about two months old. Your new ones are of unknown age but probably younger so they are probably less mature. You are in Texas so your weather is probably still good. You do not have to worry about heat for any of them. That makes it easier.

What does the area look like? Are they still in a brooder? If so, how big a brooder in feet? Are they in a coop or a coop and run? How big in feet is the coop? How big in feet is the run? Can you post photos of the coop? Of the run? Is your run predator-safe? It is a lot easier for me to give suggestions if I have a clue what you have to work with.

The basic idea is to house them next to each other where they can see each other for a week or longer so they get used to each other. Then let them mingle with as much room as possible until they prove to you they aren't going to kill each other before you force them to share a tight space.

People do this all of the time. Even with a maturity difference it can sometimes go really peaceful. Sometimes it gets messy even if they are the same age. The more room you have usually the easier it is. But with patience you can get there.

Good luck!