Chickens at war, please help!?!!

[Ginge52]

We hatched 3 chicks with 2 broodies in May this year. We have kept all chicks, one is a cockeral, the others hens. The chicks remained with mums until 5/6wks old, then they had had enough.

We had 4 original hens. We expected the dynamics to change but it not harmonious at all. One of the broody hens actively chases the new chicks, she helped raise them so we're surprised. The others dominant them when it comes to food, which we expect but they chase them off.

Any suggestions on what we can do? Will this settle? Thanks in advance.

 

[nuthatched]

It's the pecking order, do they have enough room to get away? Do you have two feeders?

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Do you have lots of clutter to break line-of-sight between the little ones and whoever’s chasing them?

 

[ClickityChick123]

It is just the pecking order, multiple feeders and lots of clutter will help a lot.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Any suggestions on what we can do? Will this settle?

So the chicks are about 3 months old. What do your facilities look like, how are they tied together? How big is your coop, in feet or meters? How big is your run, in feet or meters? It is easier for me to discuss something if I know what you are working with.

What you describe does not sound all that unusual but without knowing your details I can't give specific advice. In general, try to give them as much room as you can during the day and at night, have separate feeding and water stations so they can eat without being bullied, and try to not force them to coexist in tight spaces. The more room the better.

I don't know how dangerous what you are seeing really is. As long as no one gets hurt I'm OK with it. With your cockerel things may get even more exciting when he hits puberty. But if they get through this phase and reach maturity it usually settles down.

 

[Ginge52]

So the chicks are about 3 months old. What do your facilities look like, how are they tied together? How big is your coop, in feet or meters? How big is your run, in feet or meters? It is easier for me to discuss something if I know what you are working with.

What you describe does not sound all that unusual but without knowing your details I can't give specific advice. In general, try to give them as much room as you can during the day and at night, have separate feeding and water stations so they can eat without being bullied, and try to not force them to coexist in tight spaces. The more room the better.

I don't know how dangerous what you are seeing really is. As long as no one gets hurt I'm OK with it. With your cockerel things may get even more exciting when he hits puberty. But if they get through this phase and reach maturity it usually settles down.

Thanks for responding. They all roam free in the garden all day, which is about 6m by 12m.There are multiple feeders places and watering holes. There isn't any blood just a peck and a chase. Just worry as the little ones are nervous around them and run off. They have a coop at night which has three big roosting bars on. Suppose I'll just have to see how it goes. When should I worry?

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Thanks for responding. They all roam free in the garden all day, which is about 6m by 12m.There are multiple feeders places and watering holes. There isn't any blood just a peck and a chase. Just worry as the little ones are nervous around them and run off. They have a coop at night which has three big roosting bars on. Suppose I'll just have to see how it goes. When should I worry?

This sounds more like bossiness, not bullying. Bullying includes chasing the newbies into corner, trapping and pecking them until they bleed. Bossiness is more of an “I’m in charge, and don’t you forget it!”

I think of 12th graders in the hall around the lockers with the ninth-graders coming through. Jerky by human standards, but pretty normal in chickendom.

It’s pretty common that once the noobs start laying, they’re accepted by the rest of the flock.

We recently integrated two younger pullets, and one of the three OGs (all of 7 months old), was mildly bullying. A Nerf squirt gun has been very effective.

 

[Mrs. K]

Generally speaking, if there is no blood, should be no worrying. However, a disgruntled flock is not a fun flock to have. Try changing a few things.

Post some pictures of the coop and run or garden. Setting up some pallets, or pieces of cardboard to create mini walls, where birds can step behind and get out of sight can help. If they fight in the coop at night, while roosting, divide the roosting bar with a piece of cardboard hung from the ceiling.

Adding roosts outside, platforms where birds can get up on top, or underneath. Large totes laid on their side, will give some protection from the winter and shade.

Multiple feed bowls set up so that a bird eating at one, can't see a bird at another.

Mrs K

 

[Ridgerunner]

Thanks for responding. They all roam free in the garden all day, which is about 6m by 12m.There are multiple feeders places and watering holes. There isn't any blood just a peck and a chase. Just worry as the little ones are nervous around them and run off. They have a coop at night which has three big roosting bars on. Suppose I'll just have to see how it goes. When should I worry?

Totally normal behavior. For 7 chickens that is a huge area. Most people on this forum dream of having close to that much room.

When should you worry? I doubt you'll have to, at least until that cockerel hits puberty. Even then it should not be a real problem though some people will think so. Just stressful for you to watch.

If you see one bloody from being pecked I'd worry. If one is trapped and being held down while the older one is trying to peck a hole through its skull to get to the brain, it is a problem. But a little pecking and chasing, no problem.

 

[Ginge52]

This sounds more like bossiness, not bullying. Bullying includes chasing the newbies into corner, trapping and pecking them until they bleed. Bossiness is more of an “I’m in charge, and don’t you forget it!”

I think of 12th graders in the hall around the lockers with the ninth-graders coming through. Jerky by human standards, but pretty normal in chickendom.

It’s pretty common that once the noobs start laying, they’re accepted by the rest of the flock.

We recently integrated two younger pullets, and one of the three OGs (all of 7 months old), was mildly bullying. A Nerf squirt gun has been very effective.

You've made me feel much better thanks. It's crazy because at night they are fine and even waiting to get of the run they're fine just outside in the open space. Crazy chickens. I wouldn't be without them though. A squirt sounds good, especially when it's hot they might end up liking it
All responses have been great x