Hens attacking new chicks

[CrazyChickenLady2017]

I have some 1 year old chickens. They weren't broody at the time so i incubated some eggs and got some chicks. They are 20 weeks now and i put them in the pen with the others. They were fine for a bit but now the hens are being brutal with the chicks. One is injured pretty bad. They pulled most of its back feather out how the heck do i stop them from doing this?? I have a batch of 16 one week old chicks and im scared what will happen when theh are old enough to be in the pen too.

 

[LoveMyChickenBabies]

I have some 1 year old chickens. They weren't broody at the time so i incubated some eggs and got some chicks. They are 20 weeks now and i put them in the pen with the others. They were fine for a bit but now the hens are being brutal with the chicks. One is injured pretty bad. They pulled most of its back feather out how the heck do i stop them from doing this?? I have a batch of 16 one week old chicks and im scared what will happen when theh are old enough to be in the pen too.

You should separate the chicks from the hens immediately. Introduce them slowly, don't just put the chicks into the pen and expect them to get along, hens can be pretty brutal to chicks if they aren't broody, and even still they could kill a chick.

 

[CrazyChickenLady2017]

You should separate the chicks from the hens immediately. Introduce them slowly, don't just put the chicks into the pen and expect them to get along, hens can be pretty brutal to chicks if they aren't broody, and even still they could kill a chick.

I did separate them right away, i did introduce them slowly. That why i didnt think they would attack. They seemed fine when i was watching them. I dont have enough space to have 3 different pens for them, so i need help on how to get them to get along.

 

[LoveMyChickenBabies]

I did separate them right away, i did introduce them slowly. That why i didnt think they would attack. They seemed fine when i was watching them. I dont have enough space to have 3 different pens for them, so i need help on how to get them to get along.

Do you have any extra chicken wire or anything like that?

 

[CrazyChickenLady2017]

Do you have any extra chicken wire or anything like that?

I do, i just dont have anything to make a coop for them. Its cold where i am so they will need a house with heating for another month or so. I was thinking maybe a dog house would work for a few weeks?

 

[LoveMyChickenBabies]

I do, i just dont have anything to make a coop for them. Its cold where i am so they will need a house with heating for another month or so. I was thinking maybe a dog house would work for a few weeks?

I was thinking you could run the wire through the middle of the coop to keep them separated, but to where they could still see each other and not hurt each other. A dog house might work too though

 

[Fluffnut]

Or you could put a separated area through the run -with food and water- and keep them there during the day only.

 

[CrazyChickenLady2017]

I was thinking you could run the wire through the middle of the coop to keep them separated, but to where they could still see each other and not hurt each other. A dog house might work too though

I will try this, thanks so much. Do you think once they are bigger and can fight back they will stop attacking?

 

[CrazyChickenLady2017]

Or you could put a separated area through the run -with food and water- and keep them there during the day only.

Will they eventually stop attacking once the chicks are as big as them?

 

[Fluffnut]

It's hard to say. If you let them adjust fully, they should. Are they all pullets?
Once they get more used to each other, you can let out the younger ones and keep a very close eye on them. If you see any signs of aggression, skedaddle them immediately.