Having trouble integrating 4-month-old chickens to 1-year-old chickens

[MildlyOffensiveChicken]

Hi! We hatched two baby chicks in March, and they are now big enough to be introduced to our 1-year-old hens. We are unsure about the gender of the babies, but all of our older ones are hens. They are pretty much the same size as the others, but are getting roughed around and pecked on a lot. We've been trying to get them together for about two weeks, but every attempt ends in a bloodbath. Any tips?

I had to keep my 3 7 month olds in a Large dog kennel in the larger coop for about 4 weeks before they stopped actively picking on the youngers.

They still will take a peck of opportunity if one wanders too close.

Oddly the VERY human aggressive cockeral I have will sometimes discourage the 2 older hens from picking.

 

[rosemarythyme]

x2 on clutter. Your run is big enough but you need objects big enough to break line of sight so the younger birds can navigate around with hiding areas they can dash to to stop chases. Multiple feeders should be placed apart from one another with clutter in between so hens can't guard food as easily.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[goodmanfarm]

x2 on clutter. Your run is big enough but you need objects big enough to break line of sight so the younger birds can navigate around with hiding areas they can dash to to stop chases. Multiple feeders should be placed apart from one another with clutter in between so hens can't guard food as easily.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

thank you! they don't eat the same food yet, (will be switching the little ones to layer feed soon) but there are a total of four feeders scattered in the run. They have three waterers and wooden roosts and swings. I will find some more structures to move in. Thanks for your help!

 

[SurferchickinSB]

Hi! We hatched two baby chicks in March, and they are now big enough to be introduced to our 1-year-old hens. We are unsure about the gender of the babies, but all of our older ones are hens. They are pretty much the same size as the others, but are getting roughed around and pecked on a lot. We've been trying to get them together for about two weeks, but every attempt ends in a bloodbath. Any tips?

The main thing is they just need a lot of room.