Help integrating 9 week old with 19 week olds.. when will they stop...

[PunkinPeep]

Quote:
Thanks! Jelly (the greatest chicken dog in the world) is a great dog and a great chicken dog. Sadly, since she had puppies, she has an undeniable urge to "bathe" anything that peeps. So we have to be careful to keep the young chicks out of her reach. Other than that, she's wonderful. I can put her in the coop with the chickens at night if i'm concerned something's after them, and they all get along great! She's not super protective of the chickens themselves; she's mostly oblivious of them. But she protects the property, and that protects the chickens. So we're pretty happy. Oh, and she LOVES the chicks! I have them in an outdoor brooder, and she will come bounding from across the yard if she thinks she hears a distress call from one of them! (Don't worry. She can't get into the brooder).

 

[lovinlife]

You could also try removing the meanest one: the rooster. Put him in the pen you were keeping the young ones in. Wait a couple weeks and let the young ones get used to the more docile hens before putting the roo back in with them.

 

[fldiver97]

It may also help a bit to let the 9 week old chooks grow a bit......I feel more comfortable if they are close in size. I would also try to either place one or two of the older girls -'friendly' ones- in or remove the worst offenders and introduce them back once the younger ones are a bit more comfortable. If blood is drawn don't push it, try again.....

 

[Carpe DiHen]

Quote:
Thanks! Jelly (the greatest chicken dog in the world) is a great dog and a great chicken dog. Sadly, since she had puppies, she has an undeniable urge to "bathe" anything that peeps. So we have to be careful to keep the young chicks out of her reach. Other than that, she's wonderful. I can put her in the coop with the chickens at night if i'm concerned something's after them, and they all get along great! She's not super protective of the chickens themselves; she's mostly oblivious of them. But she protects the property, and that protects the chickens. So we're pretty happy. Oh, and she LOVES the chicks! I have them in an outdoor brooder, and she will come bounding from across the yard if she thinks she hears a distress call from one of them! (Don't worry. She can't get into the brooder).

Oh, my avitar Dasher is the same way like Jelly! Loves the babies and runs when he hears them in distress. Haven't let him in contact with any without wire yet.... He has raised baby kittens, puppies, and bunny and has been sooo good.

You could also try removing the meanest one: the rooster. Put him in the pen you were keeping the young ones in. Wait a couple weeks and let the young ones get used to the more docile hens before putting the roo back in with them.

Thanks lovinlife, I have found a home for my Polish roo and have decided to move him before I try to integrate again. One of the younger chicks is and EE roo and I was conflicted whom to rehome. I hope that helps next time I try again (another month?)

Gosh, this has been so much work! Buy 6 sexed pullet chicks, three are roos.... Find home for 2 of the roos and get 2 replacement chick (sexed pullets)...one of two of pullets is a roo, now again two roo, two different ages...

I just wanted a few hens in my BYC space!