So, I've read everything on here about mixing ages. I built the babies a small run and coop next door to the girls, so they've been close but separated for at least 2 months. I've been free ranging them all together for about 6 weeks - the babies get pecked but nothing serious. I waited until the babies are pretty close to the adults in size. So I decided to start the process and I let opened the door to the babies run so they mix with the girls - I have 6 that are 14 weeks, and 3 Wh. Leghorns that were born in May. I didn't hear too much sqauwking and cheeping so I assumed all was well. What really happened is that the girls chased the babies into their mini-coop and then stayed there and pecked whomever they could reach. No one is at all bloodied and all are now out free-ranging.
Is this just something that they have to get through? I figured that as long as no one is seriously hurt, I just have to let them work it out. Is this right, or is there something else I can do? I added a perch but they never got a chance to get on it, or got chased off it. I don't think I could create a door that the babies could get through that the girls can't, because they are so close in size.
Anybody that's done this before, is this just how it goes?
I'm really hoping to complete this process over the long Thanksgiving weekend, and actually move the babies into the big coop at that time.
Is this just something that they have to get through? I figured that as long as no one is seriously hurt, I just have to let them work it out. Is this right, or is there something else I can do? I added a perch but they never got a chance to get on it, or got chased off it. I don't think I could create a door that the babies could get through that the girls can't, because they are so close in size.
Anybody that's done this before, is this just how it goes?
I'm really hoping to complete this process over the long Thanksgiving weekend, and actually move the babies into the big coop at that time.
