Flock integratuon

[noconachickenmama]

My first chickens are now about 7 to 8 months old. I have a roo and four hens. I purchased eight chicks for him, all hens, and they are now sleeping in the coop with the 5 older birds. But they dont free range together, and the older birds still chase them away. When will they accept them? It's been about a month.

 

[BaaKaaawk]

My first chickens are now about 7 to 8 months old. I have a roo and four hens. I purchased eight chicks for him, all hens, and they are now sleeping in the coop with the 5 older birds. But they dont free range together, and the older birds still chase them away. When will they accept them? It's been about a month.

They'll integrate the older the chicks get. It takes time and chickens tend to form "clicks" based on ages, especially with the groups they grow up with. Once they hit around 9-12 months and start laying / being adults- they tend to fall into the pecking order quickly.