carlaashdown
Songster
Will try to make this as short as possible.
I have two sets of chicks that I will be integrating into an existing flock of 16 hens, but first need to integrate the two sets of chicks together….and I am having issues I didn’t anticipate.
The two sets of chicks are:
Set 1 is four pullets - about 8.5 weeks - came from Tractor Supply
Set 2 is three RIR pullets and one cockerel - just now 6 weeks old - came from a local farm.
They have been together, but separated by a cage wire for 4 weeks. (I had them separated at first due to the second set coming from a farm and not a hatchery). During the day, they are in a 10x10 pen. Set 1 runs free inside the run. Set 2 are in a smaller wire run inside the larger one. I can post pics of needed. At night, they go into the coop in separate large wire crates right next to each other. So they’ve had “look but don’t touch” for plenty of time.
A couple days ago, I started to attempt to integrate them under supervision. I was afraid the bigger ones would be bossy to the smaller ones, but I was wrong. The cockerel and one of the pullets in set 2 are attacking all of set 1. Like they will seek out set 1 aggressively.
The cockerel is fine with his little flock and is not aggressive at all to them. I did not expect this at all, although it may be normal. I am a long time chicken owner, but don’t have a lot of experience with roos. I’ve had them in the past, but never an integrating situation such as this. I intentionally picked a cockerel chick, so I am hoping to work this out peacefully. I had a roo once that was aggressive to the hens and hurt a couple girls, I can’t have that again.
Suggestions?
*Updated this post to include pics. They are in the 10x10 end section to the far right. Overall coop picture, an overall of the are they are in, and a closer pic to show size of chicks.
I have two sets of chicks that I will be integrating into an existing flock of 16 hens, but first need to integrate the two sets of chicks together….and I am having issues I didn’t anticipate.
The two sets of chicks are:
Set 1 is four pullets - about 8.5 weeks - came from Tractor Supply
Set 2 is three RIR pullets and one cockerel - just now 6 weeks old - came from a local farm.
They have been together, but separated by a cage wire for 4 weeks. (I had them separated at first due to the second set coming from a farm and not a hatchery). During the day, they are in a 10x10 pen. Set 1 runs free inside the run. Set 2 are in a smaller wire run inside the larger one. I can post pics of needed. At night, they go into the coop in separate large wire crates right next to each other. So they’ve had “look but don’t touch” for plenty of time.
A couple days ago, I started to attempt to integrate them under supervision. I was afraid the bigger ones would be bossy to the smaller ones, but I was wrong. The cockerel and one of the pullets in set 2 are attacking all of set 1. Like they will seek out set 1 aggressively.
The cockerel is fine with his little flock and is not aggressive at all to them. I did not expect this at all, although it may be normal. I am a long time chicken owner, but don’t have a lot of experience with roos. I’ve had them in the past, but never an integrating situation such as this. I intentionally picked a cockerel chick, so I am hoping to work this out peacefully. I had a roo once that was aggressive to the hens and hurt a couple girls, I can’t have that again.
Suggestions?
*Updated this post to include pics. They are in the 10x10 end section to the far right. Overall coop picture, an overall of the are they are in, and a closer pic to show size of chicks.
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