How do I get my 15 week olds more comfortable around my hens?

[LCEchickens]

I have a 15 week old BO and EE that I have trying to integrate into my older flock of 3 (2BRs and 1 WR) for over a month now. They were housed next to each other for several weeks. The youngsters used the run while the big girls were free ranging. I free ranged them together. The big girls have put them in their place with some pecking, but never anything overly aggressive. Here's my issue: When everyone is in the run together, the pullets would run and cram themselves in a corner. I have several visual barriers in the run and several roosting spots. All the big girls have to do is walk near the pullets and they panic. This past week they started running back into the coop and that's where they spend their day unless The hens are out free ranging. If someone comes in to use a nest box, they panic again, sometimes getting themselves cornered in a nest box. Now, my BO does have a vision problem, which I'm sure is making things worse. I am pretty sure she is partially if not fully blind in one eye.

So what do you think? Do you think they will ever realize that's it's safe to hang out in the run with the big girls? Is there anything else I can do to help this along? Thanks so much!

 

[Maev]

From my experience (which is very little) it's just going to take time. I had to separate a few of my chickens because they were too crowded in my brooder and they had been pecked to the point of blood. They were apart from the rest of my flock for about a week. Then they went back in the chicken house with the rest. The other chickens, even though they had grown up together, acted like they had never seen them before. They chased them around and wouldn't let them be part of the big group. I sold off all my extras pullets and kept two that had been pecked and four from the other group. It's been almost two months and they are finally allowed to roost on the "best" roost and really hang out with the big group. But still there are signs that those two are not fully "buddies" with the other four. So as long as they aren't being picked on and are getting access to food, I think you're just going to have to be patient.

 

[LCEchickens]

Thanks! I keep telling myself that I just need to give it time. I have three feeders and 3 waterers set up inside and outside. I still worry the BO isn't eating enough though. Hopefully they get this figured out soon, they are stressing me out!!