Chicken Aggression in Newly Combined Flock

[BarredCometLaced]

We have a flock of three older chickens and now and added 7 new chicks. The chicks are now about 10 weeks old, so we opened the separation between the two runs. The Oldest, a 4 year old Barred Rock named Juliette, was (and is still now) the undisputed matriarch, and displays no signs of aggression towards the new additions. The two younger hens, 3 year old SLWs, are CRAZY. I think, personally, that they are afraid to now be over run by the 7 new younger girls. They chase, peck, and complain loudly about their new friends. I have two plans.

1. Isolate the two aggressors in a separate run, and allow the Matriarch and the Babies to get used to the coop and living together. I know that this will cause disruptions when I reintroduce them, because the pecking order will be re disturbed.

2. Keep them all living together, but put pinless peepers on them until the aggression settles down.

What do you folks think? Which would you do??

Thank you so much!!!!

 

[lizsmall99]

This is exactly what's happening to my flock! I would suggest the first option so that the babies can find their place without getting hurt by the others. I would also suggest putting something on the more aggressive chickens like a collar or something so that the babies have a chance.

Good luck and I wish you the best!

 

[aart]

Lower order birds are often more aggressive to newbies..... they finally have someone to pick on!

I'd leave them be to work it out unless there is serious blood being drawn or someone is getting pinned down and beaten.
Peepers are for extreme situations, not run of the mill pecking during integration.

Make sure they all have plenty of room, places to hide 'out of line of sight' and/or up and away from aggressors.
Multiple feed/water stations is must IMO......territory and sustenance is what the existing birds are 'protecting'.

 

[DanEP]

aart is right if nobody is bleeding let them work it out By adding the new kids your older girls just moved from the bottom to the middle of the pecking order and will want to establish their new positions then will settle down. Of course as the new kids get older this will change again so expect a certain amount of fussin to go on for the next few months but that's normal. I just leave them alone as long as nobody's bleeding and let them work it out. It's going to happen no matter what so lets get it over with.
Chicken life can be tough.