Hens won't get along - Any Suggestions?

[masschix]

I have 6 EE hens that are 15 weeks old. I have added 2 Black Australorps, 2 RR, and 2 Golden Comets to the house and they are 8 weeks old. For the last 2 weeks we have kept the 8 wk. olds in a run right aside the other so that they could see each other everyday. We then put them into the same run but seperated them with a piece of lattice work. We took the lattice work out this past weekend (Saturday) and have noticed the older hens going after the chicks. They don't seem to go after them as much while they are in the coop, only in the run. Although I did notice that the younger ones seem to stay huddled up in a corner in the coop. Will they ever get along and stop picking on the younger ones? Did we mix them together to soon? I have a rooster that is about 18 weeks old and doesn't seem to bother them like the girls do. What gives?

(edited for spelling error)

 

[hinkjc]

The girls will work out their pecking order and all will be fine. Just keep an eye to make sure the young ones get ample time at the feed/water. As long as the big girls aren't drawing blood, all should resolve itself in a week or two. The roo has no concerns because he will rule the whole coop - he's just sitting back watching to see who will be top hen - then he steps in when maturity hits. Good luck.

Jody

 

[masschix]

The whole thing seems so cruel. The big hens started to pull out the rump feathers on the black ones. Guess I'll have to just sit back and watch. Thanks for the answer!

 

[cmom]

They will work out their pecking order, but if they keep pulling out feathers then maybe you'll want to separate then for awhile longer. Hopefully they are eating and drinking ok and the big girls are letting them.

 

[BJ]

I vote to separate if they are pulling feathers and bloodying. I think different breeds sometimes just can't be made to get along. Anyone else agree? I am going with all the same breed from now on...or at least researching in-depth to get similar temperaments.

Good luck with working out this issue.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

I just added mine...they were 5-6 weeks old and the big girls were only nine weeks. There was some pecking and the three little ones stay together like PB&J! It's so cute. I kept the little ones in the coop for a week before letting them out of their cage inside the coop. It's been a week and they do still peck at them but they are not to bad anymore. I would give it a while. Mine didn't pull tail feathers out tho

Poor babies! Here a link to my pics of my new additions to the coop. GOOD LUCK TO YOU!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=77024