Integrating chicks into a flock

[M Brennen]

I’m sure this question has been asked numerous times, but since every situation is different, I thought I would ask again. This afternoon I freed my teenagers from their out grown box. I watched for several hours and noticed the teenagers getting picked on by the older birds. That I expected to a certain degree. The worst seemed to be my male and female bantam. My female actually pulled feathers out of the babies. My two standard hens seemed to chase them out of her space and peck at them. My question is this, I need to go to work tomorrow and can’t watch them. Should I lock up the bantams, and or the hens while I am at work? When will they settle in to a peaceful cohabitation? The teenagers are just shy of 5 weeks old.

 

[NatJ]

Probably best to lock up one set or the other when you cannot watch them, at least until things settle down a bit more.

 

[Justso]

Perhaps you need to add more hiding space in your run? Anything that blocks the view, like a pallet or a board, or they can perch on.

 

[M Brennen]

Thanks, some great ideas. I did lock the teenagers up in their old box last night because they seemed to be struggling to settle down. The Old box has a few bars that some like to roost on, but o don’t have anything low enough for them in the large area. I plan on letting them out again today with monitoring and then put them to bed in the old box again. I’ll do this until I feel they will be safe. Also, I will make some more hiding spaces and low roosts for them. Thanks for the suggestions.