I put the 9 week old girls out with my current 10 hens. There is some chasing/pecking from the big ones to the littler girls....nothing horrible and what I'd expect, but now they have confined themselves to a corner to "hang out" so they are not bothered by the big girls. They have their own food and water in the corner.....and I provided shelter from the rain showers we have today, although they refused to go under the shelter and are staying in the corner with the rain showers. My ??? is should I just stop panicking and let things "pecking order" sort itself way out??? I don't think anyone is in any danger.....they have PLENTY of room to run if they need to and they have access to a coop (if they were smart they'd hide out in there). What would you do?? Thanks
Unless they are getting really hurt or not eating I would leave them and let them work it out. If any get blooded (check often and closely) remove them imediately.
As long as they is no severe blood-letting, the little ones are allow to have food and water, I'm just leaving mine alone. I have 5 "big girls" that are a year old and 19 "little ones" that are 9weeks old all together. They are working it out on their own. The little ones have a place to escape to that the big ones can't get too. So far so good.
I'd say your girls at 9 weeks old are kind of young to be put with adult layers if that is your current bunch. I'd wait till they were 16 weeks old or so, since by then they will be meatier and more defensive of themselves against the adults. But either way, if there is no blood, let the fights go on if you think the little girls can defend themselves/are the same physcial size.
I have done a little chick area that only the smaller birds can get into, for protection and food. Seemes to work pretty well.
I have the same situation and it is working out fine, no injuries yet, but lots of running around to avoid the big mamas. I would say, as long as they have room to get away and have access to the food and water, it will work itself out. They have to meet sometime!
