chickens not getting along yet

[sixxchixx]

I have 2 hens and 4 15 weekers. they have all been living together in the large run and coop for about 3 weeks now and the older hens still peck at the younger ones. luckily they have plenty of room to run and hide,

and thank goodness the little ones are faster then the big ones but when will they all be friends? should i punish (swat) my large hens everytime i catch them being mean to the littles?

 

[4 luv of eggs]

I know it's hard to do but you need to let them establish a pecking order. As long as they aren't just picking on one and you don't see blood, let them be. My girls range from 19 to 25 weeks and I still see it going on...just not as often as before. Usually happens if there is something tasty around. Once they are about the same size, things will settle down. Just keep an eye on them.

 

[sixxchixx]

thanks. I just feel so bad for the babies. it seems that they cant get a break. they will all be laying down in the shade and one of the hens will see them and come running to scare them away. they all get pecked, so no one in particular is getting beat up but they yelp and scream everytime. (it breaks a mothers heart)

 

[Morgan7782]

The pecking order is constantly enforced, at least with my 5 girls. Every morning the head hen goes around to those who I brought home after her, and gives them a chasing just to remind them who is boss. I have had them all together for about 10 weeks, but it is a morning ritual without fail.

as long as the younger ones can get away pretty soon they will grow up and have their own 'gang' lol!

 

[4 luv of eggs]

I know what you mean. There have been times I wanted to go in and give the bully a boot. I have five that are the oldest and they are as thick as thieves. They horde all the goodies. I bought a Flock Block (hard big brick of a treat) and the five were keeping everyone away...chasing them and pulling feathers. It was interesting to watch because the braver of the younger girls would approach ever so slowly, and then stick their heads in real quick and grab a bite and run. The only one I had to rehome was my accidental rooster. He was beginning to pull wads of feathers out of the younger girls and eating them. It was when he grabbed one of the girls by the neck and flung her that he had to go. That, I couldn't stand for. Still. there are a lot of straggly or missing tail feathers.