Combining flocks, moving younger chicks to the coop

[Chickens R Us]

I have the same problem except 5 different age groups I yr old, 3 and 4 mth. old already combined, 2 mth. old and 1 week old. I am going to start combining the 2 mth with the 3 and 4 mth this weekend. Their pens are next to each other so they see each other all the time, a couple of the 3 and 4 mths. old got into the pen with the 2 mth. old and got along fine so I think it's time to try. The 1 week old are still in the basement in the brooder,but when it is time for them to go out I will put them in the pen next to the others and try in a couple of months to get those together with the rest.The 1 yr olds have a pen next to the others also and I throw BOSS out so they can eat next to each other and still be separated by a fence. Hoping my method of growing up separate but next to each other works out.

 

[onebusymom]

You have given me hope. I am trying to merge two flocks that have a five week age difference (and the size difference is immense). I introduced them today under careful supervision to see how'd they do (they could hear e/o in the brooder but not contact, but the olders have been in the coop/run for two weeks now. Well, it was good for about 40 seconds, then a few of the olders would peck at them as they walked or ran past.

I'm definitely going to have to create a separate section in the run for the youngers. I'm going to do as you mentioned - supervised but separate during the day for a while, then try combining. I hope I have as much luck as you did.

 

[rookiefarmers]

They will peck each other. Its part of them learning their place. It is hard to watch but as long as no one is bleeding or being ganged up on, let it happen. Our rule was to take away the aggressor if they went after them mercilessly, and if their was blood you obviously need yo intervene. Otherwise, you prolong the pecking by stopping it. Its necessary for them, sucks but no matter how long you let them see hut not touch there will be pecking. The most important thing is hiding areas for the little guys and plenty of space and feeding/watering stations.

 

[Buffs]

I am wondering opinions on moving my all female buffs who are about 3mo in with my 2 hens and 1 buff rooster who are about 1yr3mo. My buff rooster does beat up my white hen and she has to wear a shirt now and has had to for a while I think it is a permanent fix bc it is starting to heal. And my buff rooster will lunge at me and puffs up whenever a walk past their fenced in run.

Any thoughts? I am really hoping they messed up and put one rooster buff with my 3mo olds because I would really like to replace my current one!

Thank you!!

 

[lauranickerson]

Ugh. This is always so frustrating! I just swapped one of my many cockerels for a pullet of about the same age (approx. 12-15 weeks) and now this new pullet is getting ganged up on and hasn't left the coop all day. While everyone is playing in the run, she's scared, perched on the brooder inside the coop. Every once in a while, another pullet will come in and peck at her neck, then leave.

It was too hard to watch so I made a very makeshift isolation space for the new pullet. She is only separated by 1" hex wire, so they can all easily see each other.

I hate seeing the other pullets pick on her. Not only that, but I have about 9 cockerels (but not for long!), and once one has a hold of her, the other boys follow behind waiting for their turn to pick on her. It seems so much worse than just pecking order to me. Am I wrong?

 

[lauranickerson]

Anyone know if this is normal? How long do they usually pick on a new hen? I feel so bad for her! She jumped all the way onto my shoulder this morning to get away from them. I think she was still on the defensive and picked my hands when I reached back to grab her.

I feel so helpless. I split her from the others like I said earlier, but I feel like that isn't doing any good either...just prolonging the pecking order process. I took the risk of putting them all together today while I am at work (currently am and will be for another 6 hours).

Ohhh man. This stinks.

 

[OlivesMama]

I wish I could offer some advice, but my only experience was with merging 2 young-ish flocks. I imagine the older they get, the harder it would be because they have really had some time to establish pecking order. All of the advice I've read has said to first isolate the new chicks/chickens in a wire pen so the others can see them but not do damage. It takes a lot of time and patience. I don't think I would just add one (especially unsupervised) and hope for the best. I watched over everyone when I started letting the younger flock forage in the yard with the big girls. I had a lot of time to spend with the chickens when I first got them, so I could manage them in this way. I would intervene by either stomping or gently pushing the chests of the aggressors to get them to stop. They seemed to understand this, as I've seen them chest bump to establish dominance. But what do I know, this is just my first flock and I'm sure other more seasoned chicken keepers would have different advice! My big Barred Rock girls still chase the babies off if I am feeding treats. The babies just deal with it now and run, then the BRs stop. Our rooster we get rid of was starting to chase off everyone. He was the catalyst for sure. Everyone has mellowed since he's not around.

 

[Den in Penn]

One chicken integrations are tough. With one new comer everyone focuses on the the singleton, giving the newbie no breaks. So yes what your seeing is normal. If you are getting rid of the cockerels and can keep her separated with the wire between till then, then that is a good time to try to integrate her. The pecking order will disrupted by the removal of so many that she might get a easier time.

 

[rookiefarmers]

One chicken integrations are tough.  With one new comer everyone focuses on the the singleton, giving the newbie no breaks.  So yes what your seeing is normal.  If you are getting rid of the cockerels and can keep her separated with the wire between till then, then that is a good time to try to integrate her.  The pecking order will disrupted by the removal of so many that she might get a easier time. 

X2

 

[lauranickerson]

I have a Leghorn that I've been trying to put with them for a while, too, but it hasn't really worked yet. Do you guys think maybe I should introduce her, too...to make it easier on each other? Obviously, since she's a Leghorn, she's much smaller, so I'm worried about that. She's definitely my favorite, like my little parrot that follows me everywhere and enjoys my shoulder and arm. It's pathetic, but I'd cry if she died. Haha. That's so bad.

The cockerels have been warned that the end is near. I'm not sure about doing all of them, though. Some are a little too small to be worth it, in my opinion. And I was planning on keeping one or two for good (one if it ends up being too much for the ladies down the road).

Maybe I will try isolation a little longer. She was still there when I came home, but hiding behind something in the coop. No wounds that I could see, so that's good.