Integrating chicks back together

[funnyfarmmama]

Ok a couple of weeks back I had posted that I had three chicks that had their tail feathers plucked out by the other chicks in the brooder. They are now 4 weeks old and I was able to integrate one chick back into my flock. I tried with the other 2, but as soon as we put them in the others would pick at them. I think the problem is that they are completely different than my other chicks. They are a golden brown color and all the others are darker.

I have tried 3 times and each time the others would start in right away. My husband convinced me I was being overprotective and we tried again for the fourth time. I thought treat time would be a good time to accomplish this. We gave them their treat and put the 2 golden chicks in the brooder. Everything seemed to be going good, I checked on them several times and nobody was picking.

I went to give my son a bath and when I came back the larger of the 2 chicks had a nickel to quarter sized bloody area on his rump, and 2 smaller bloody areas. I have treated the areas and returned both of them to the "hospital ward". The smaller one is ok, no injuries, but I knew it would be good company.

I have tried to see if there might be a bully, and I am just not sure. Being new to chickens, I have trouble telling normal chicken behavior from bad behavior.

Our coop is not quite finished, but I am hoping to be able to integrate then. Any ideas of what might help would be appreciated.

My question is this, will I ever be able to integrate them or should I rehome them. Having 2 chicken coops is currently out of the question. These are very social birds and like to be held, but I'm not sure I can have 2 coops right now.

First I have 24 total chicks. Before you ask, the area they are in is large enough (from all my reading I have done). They get treats and I have excess zuchinni, squash, and apples for entertainment. The temperature is approximately 75-85 with a nice breeze surrounding them. My older son really likes these birds and I would hate to have to rehome them.

 

[phalenbeck]

After trying all else, I seperated the bully from the others, then put her in a pen in the coop. She is now back/dominate/but not mean. Mine still seem to hang out mostly by color.

 

[monathequeen]

cOLOR OF SPECIES HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ACCEPTANCE...CHICKENS CAN ONLY RECOGNIZE THE COLOR RED....AND DO NOT JUDGE OTHER CHICKS BY BREED...ONLY BY BEING UNFAMILIAR WITH AN ESTABLISHED CHAIN OF ORDER.

Ok Calm Down.......i Would Wait A Few More Weeks On The Introduction.....you Shouldn't Introduce Chicks That Young To The Others. I Hear Wait Until They're Seven To Nine Weeks Old.
They Are Too Small To Fend For Themselves Yet.
Don't Rehome Them, Just Have Patients. Birds Will Peck At New Ones At First But If The New Chicks Are Mature And The Same Size As The Others, They Will Fight Back Or Back Down Wichever They Need To Do.
The Behavior Of A Chicken Is Really Cut And Dry..........the Order Of Dominance Has To Be Established By The Chickens, Not You.

Please Don't Rehome The New Babies !!! Give It Some Time And Let Them Fight Their Own Battles.
Just Remember, It's Way Too Early To Let Them Join The Others Still...
if The One YOU LEFT WITH THE OTHERS Is Doing Ok, Leave Her Alone Or Get Her Out Of There If Shes Being Pecked And Bloodied. They Could VerY Well Kill Her.........good Luck...

 

[funnyfarmmama]

They were all out of the brooder the same amount of time. I just thought since they were all the same age it wouldn't matter when I introduced them. They are all about the same size. I just don't understand why the one we put back in did just fine. I would never have left her in there if they were picking on her.

If I rehome them, it won't be until we have used up every option to reintegrate. I was hoping that when we get the coop done I would try again then.

When we put these 2 back into the community brooder, they kept going from corner to corner looking for a way out. I think they were frightened by being in with all the others. My husband insisted I let them try to stay in there, (I am a worry wart).

Thank you for your support and opinions.

 

[kathyinmo]

Maybe you could try taking a couple out of the main flock and put them in with the 2. Then, when introducing 4 into the main flock, it may be easier. That way, they would be on the weaker ones turf, so to speak. I have read that it works, worth a try...
Good luck!