Existing flock attacking new chicks

[eswets]

I have read several post on this and sorry to add another one, but i need help. I have 9 Rhode Island Reds that are a little over a year old. I am adding 4 Easter Eggers to the flock that are about 9 weeks old. Last weekend I had the new chicks in a cage in the run for 3 days. There were a lot of fighting between the cage (mostly instigated from the Reds). Then because of work, I couldn't be around to move the little one back and forth and they were separated for a few days. This past weekend, I let the little ones loose in the run with the Reds. They got attacked a bit but it seemed normal from what I have read. The second day of them together, I put them together in the coop at night. Everything seemed fine. Next day, same thing. Again at night put them together. Next morning still not bad, Reds kept to them selves and the little ones kept together, little pecking here and there. I left for work and had a friend check on them. He found the Reds chasing and fighting the little one very aggressively. Then 3 of the Reds pinned the little one down and was full on pecking, ripping feathers out and looked like they were ready to kill her. When I got home later that day I found all 4 little ones flew out of the run (4" fence and my Easter Eggers can fly almost 8' high). I have them separated again because during the week I can not monitor them only weekend I can. What do I do? Every weekend just keep putting them in? I believe if I'm not around the Reds will seriously hurt or kill the little ones. Also the coop and run are large enough for 12-14 chickens and they have a large fenced "backyard" that they can access from a door off the run so space I don't think is a factor.
Thanks for any help
Eric

 

[CluckerFamily]

I do the see but no touch integration for two-three weeks before allowing them to mingle under supervision.

 

[Iluveggers]

9 weeks old is a little young to integrate. Any way you can split the run & coop into 2 sections until the EE are closer to 3-4 months?

 

[eswets]

I've read and got lots of different advice on the age to introduce them. Half the people say do it around 8 to 10 weeks because they are smaller and will get put in there place faster, and others say wait until they are almost the same size. I can't divide the coop and the run isn't easily divided. Didn't think of that when designing or building it. Never thought I would get more....I now know better, they are some of the best pets i ever had.

I will keep them in the cage in the run when I can't monitor them. Is it OK to put them together for a day or two, then remove them for a few day? I feel like it is starting over again if they can't stay continuously with the Reds.

 

[Anime2lover]

I have read several post on this and sorry to add another one, but i need help. I have 9 Rhode Island Reds that are a little over a year old. I am adding 4 Easter Eggers to the flock that are about 9 weeks old. Last weekend I had the new chicks in a cage in the run for 3 days. There were a lot of fighting between the cage (mostly instigated from the Reds). Then because of work, I couldn't be around to move the little one back and forth and they were separated for a few days. This past weekend, I let the little ones loose in the run with the Reds. They got attacked a bit but it seemed normal from what I have read. The second day of them together, I put them together in the coop at night. Everything seemed fine. Next day, same thing. Again at night put them together. Next morning still not bad, Reds kept to them selves and the little ones kept together, little pecking here and there. I left for work and had a friend check on them. He found the Reds chasing and fighting the little one very aggressively. Then 3 of the Reds pinned the little one down and was full on pecking, ripping feathers out and looked like they were ready to kill her. When I got home later that day I found all 4 little ones flew out of the run (4" fence and my Easter Eggers can fly almost 8' high). I have them separated again because during the week I can not monitor them only weekend I can. What do I do? Every weekend just keep putting them in? I believe if I'm not around the Reds will seriously hurt or kill the little ones. Also the coop and run are large enough for 12-14 chickens and they have a large fenced "backyard" that they can access from a door off the run so space I don't think is a factor.
Thanks for any help
Eric

It takes time. A few weeks of see but no touch, sometimes more, followed by several weeks of supervised integration, sometimes less or more depending on the flocks. I've had reds and they can be a little high strong toward younger birds so they may need more time to integrate. Having to integrate only four to a larger number of older birds may make it more difficult to.

 

[Anime2lover]

I've read and got lots of different advice on the age to introduce them. Half the people say do it around 8 to 10 weeks because they are smaller and will get put in there place faster, and others say wait until they are almost the same size. I can't divide the coop and the run isn't easily divided. Didn't think of that when designing or building it. Never thought I would get more....I now know better, they are some of the best pets i ever had.

I will keep them in the cage in the run when I can't monitor them. Is it OK to put them together for a day or two, then remove them for a few day? I feel like it is starting over again if they can't stay continuously with the Reds.

With the way they acted, that wouldn't be a good idea yet. Older birds can peck each other to death, and I wouldn't be surprised for those chicks to have been found dead or seriously injured if they hadn't been interrupted. I suggest giving them more time.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Photos of your set up would help. How much clutter is there and how many feeders are available for the birds to use?

3 days is pretty short for see but don't touch, 1-2 weeks of continuous exposure would've been better. At this point I'd say keep the chicks in a fenced off area in the run (or their brooding cage), and then wait until the weekend when you can supervise, before you attempt to put them together again. Hopefully with additional clutter and feeders if those are lacking right now.

I've read and got lots of different advice on the age to introduce them. Half the people say do it around 8 to 10 weeks because they are smaller and will get put in there place faster, and others say wait until they are almost the same size.

Actually 8-12ish weeks is probably a tougher integration IMO. Best to do it much earlier, when the chicks are noticeably smaller, or wait until they're big enough to stand up for themselves. Early integration is usually done around 4 weeks or so (my last batch of chicks had full run access at 15 days old), the reason being the chicks are small enough to utilize chick-only openings for safety. By about 8 weeks chicks are too big for those openings, which takes away a huge safety option for them.

 

[Sally PB]

Actually 8-12ish weeks is probably a tougher integration IMO. Best to do it much earlier, when the chicks are noticeably smaller, or wait until they're big enough to stand up for themselves. Early integration is usually done around 4 weeks or so (my last batch of chicks had full run access at 15 days old), the reason being the chicks are small enough to utilize chick-only openings for safety. By about 8 weeks chicks are too big for those openings, which takes away a huge safety option for them.

I am in this boat. The three littles have been in their half of the run for almost 3 weeks, and the low hen in the adult flock (3 hens and a roo) still wants to peck them through the fence.

I am adding on to the run, and both flocks will have 50-60% more room in their respective areas. The littles were hatched June 5th, so if they lay, it will be early November, or more likely, next spring. I can keep them separate as long as necessary. Any suggestions as to how long that will be?

 

[RooStar Chicken Gang]

I do the see but no touch integration for two-three weeks before allowing them to mingle under supervision.

Did it for three months, works even better.

 

[CluckerFamily]

Did it for three months, works even better.

I love this!!
The longer you wait the less stress and issues you will have.