chicken introductions going on now - help with pecking

[Karen 2739]

I just introduced 8 week old girls to 16 week girls, 3 to 3 ratio. I know I should expect some pecking, and it's hard to watch and not intervene. When is too much just too much, before any blood shed?

They've been together but separated since Sunday and I put them together at dark in the coop last night. There is a old dog crate for the new girls to go to but I have the door open and the older girls can go in now as well.

I appreciate any advice you can give me.

 

[LarryPQ]

I wouldn't worry too much. You'll make things worse if you remove the new ones, but if you have one hen doing the majority of the pecking, you can crate her and remove her from the equation. If you can crate her where the others can see her, it will knock her down a peg or two, and help solve the bullying.

If you see blood, catch the injured hen and put some Blue Kote on it.