heather134
Songster
Three weeks ago we started integrating four pullets (born in mid-Jan) into the flock of six older hens. The older ones were inherited, they're estimated between four and seven years old. Not positive of breeds - I think three are golden comet, one looks like barred rock, one is an easter egger and no idea about the last one but she's the oldest and the biggest bully.
That's the issue - two of the pullets (one golden laced Wyandotte and three Welsummer) are still being bullied quite a bit. One is being kept off of the roosts some nights. Considering that only two hens are currently laying eggs and two others haven't been laying for ten months, I'm considering just getting rid of several older ones.
Or is there something else I can do to get them to chill out and accept the new pullets? I have two water stations, I feed scraps to the old ones and the new ones don't even try to grab it. They were free ranging daily until the last few days because we just mulched LOL. They have plenty of space. Just at the end of my wits with the mean girls.
That's the issue - two of the pullets (one golden laced Wyandotte and three Welsummer) are still being bullied quite a bit. One is being kept off of the roosts some nights. Considering that only two hens are currently laying eggs and two others haven't been laying for ten months, I'm considering just getting rid of several older ones.
Or is there something else I can do to get them to chill out and accept the new pullets? I have two water stations, I feed scraps to the old ones and the new ones don't even try to grab it. They were free ranging daily until the last few days because we just mulched LOL. They have plenty of space. Just at the end of my wits with the mean girls.