Chicken pecked by other Chickens, help.

[jfobel]

Ok so I have three hens that are about 7 months old. Then we also have 4 more chickens about 3 months old. We have been keep them separte up untill acouple days ago. Meaning between chicken wire. The last three days they spent all together and things seemed to be going fine. The smaller ones just seemed to stay away from the older ones. Then today one of the smaller chickens got beat up pretty bad. She has a big spot on her head that they pecked bad and on her wing. We have her in a box all by herself. Not sure what to do.
So now I have the other 3 away from the bigger chickens. How long do you have to keep them apart before they can all get along?
This is our first chicken coop and and dealing with chickens. My kids love them, but it seems to be turning into a nightmare.

Thanks

 

[andehens]

bless their little hearts; huh? Don't get discouraged to quickly, your little chickens need to be closer in weight and age in order to hold their own against the larger ones. 4 months for most breeds (if they are all standards or all bantams) seems to be a good age with enough size to start mixing them! Good Luck!

 

[ranchhand]

When you mix them again, keep an eye on them. As soon as it gets out of hand, wade in there and raise cain at everyone, letting them know that YOU are the alpha. Don't put the little one back until she heals, but do keep her next to them, with the others. I had to start with 1 hour a day, then back to their own sides, gradually increasing the time. Good luck, it's a lot like having a class of kindergarteners!

Almost forgot,

!

 

[sammi]

it's really better to let the little ones catch up in size to the older ones.
keep an eye on the droppings..

how's the injured one?
is she ok?
has she been treated?
she should get some electrolytes to help her deal with stress..
if you don't have any commercial electrolytes you can use diluted Pediolyte.
and a little extra protein, such as a cooked egg mixed with feed..

 

[jfobel]

Thank you all for the help!

Today she seemed much better. She really wanted to be with the other chickens her size, so we tried it. They got along well and didn't pick at her at all. Right now they are all sleeping together. I kept them away from the bigger chickens, there between chicken wire, but at night we bring them in and they sleep in a rubber maid box because we are scard something may get into the run. The chicken house is much safer, but it has the bigger chickens in it. So you can see why I would love to have them all get along and get them out of the laundry room. But I will wait like you all said untill they get bigger in size. I did treat her wounds and today she ate and drank fine, so hoping she's on the up swing.

I know it will be worth it when all this is over, it just seemed like a mess lately. So everytime I add more chickens I need to wait untill there the same size, right. Will a rooster help with any of this? Or is this just the way chickens act?

Thank you for the welcome and helping me out!!!

 

[andehens]

Unless you want more baby chickies, a rooster probably wouldn't be much help! (fertility would be his job) I'm glad your little chickie is doing good and yes, everytime you add to your flock you will go through something like this. They have a social heirarchy called a pecking order, once your flock is established things calm down.

eta: re-read ranchhands good advice if you get discouraged again!

 

[Jenski]

How much space do they have?

 

[jfobel]

The house is 8ft by 8ft and the run is 8ft by 16 ft. The house has 4 nesting boxes and a perck that is as long as the house. The run has the rubber maid box in it that the little ones have been living in and a long perch too. It is plenty tall too, both are taller than me and I'm alittle over 5ft. My husband went to town when he made this thing, and we figured we would want more chickens. My oldest son loves chickens! lol Right now we have 3 7months olds and 4 3 months old. We live on about 10 acres and my son lets the olds ones run around after school, since they are bound to the chicken house during the day. The babys have been living in the run area during the day.

Thanks for the help! I'm thinking he wants mabie 3 more chickens. So I guess we will be baby sitting for a long time to come! Oh the fun!