consolidating chickens: no trouble on first introduction - all will be good?

[jillstu]

Hi there,

I'm attempting to consolidate a flock of 3 18 week old hens (speckled sussex, gold-laced wyndotte, cuckoo maran) and 2 9 week old buckeye chicks. I had the chicks in a wire dog crate during the day next to the hen's run/paddock for a couple weeks, and then moved them into a plastic dog crate in the coop at night with run of the neighboring run/paddock during the day, where they've been for the last 2 weeks or so. I let them mingle for an hour yesterday and several hours today keeping both pop doors open and a gate between the 2 paddocks.

Mostly the older hens seem disinterested, unless they find themselves within a foot of a chick and then they'll chase. The chicks know to avoid the hens, and run away when chased, so for the most part everyone seems to be getting along and accepting of there spot in the pecking order.

My question is: Is this agreeable behavior likely to continue? Or cannot I assume that just because these early interactions are going well, that the chicks will be safe? Although there is plenty of room and places to hide, the chicks are still 1/2 the size of the older hens.

Also, it is possible one of the buckeyes is male (not sure yet). Is he more likely to get hen-pecked because the older hens did not grow up with him?

Thanks for any insights,
Jill

 

[sourland]

It sounds as if everything is going smoothly. Just be watchful for the next week or so and have a plan if physical damage starts to occur.