Integrating chicks with older pullets - I'm stuck!

[subhanalah]

Was she hurting them?

 

[theawesomechick]

I have no idea, since once I got out due to hearing those chicken threats, I would just see the little ones cowering in the hidey-hole, and my white leghorn strutting around outside, looking pompous and important, warning the chicks to stay away.

 

[Beekissed]

Thank you for the support!

I'll start preparations, and maybe have a supervised interaction session today. After this week, the little chicks are going into the big girl coop with a heating pad, so that might change things up a bit! I'm really hoping that this process is quick, simple, and nonviolent.

That's a smart move. I've found that the older chickens don't see 2 wk old chicks as food competition and pretty much ignores them, gives them space at the feeder, etc. and it makes that whole pecking order just nonexistent. See if you can't integrate right out of your brooder into the big coop at about that age and monitor the results.

My teeny tiny little white leghorn (who JUST started laying yesterday, at 8 months old) has turned out to be the NASTIEST of our little flock!

She keeps chasing the little ones into a tiny little hiding spot, shouting threats all the while! (Don't ask me how I know what chicken threats sound like. I just know.) So, back to keeping them separated.

Here's a trick you can try....go out to the coop tonight and switch your aggressive WL into the holding pen and let the others back into the big pen and see how she likes being isolated for awhile. Could change the whole picture for the little ones and the big ones too.

 

[theawesomechick]

Here's a trick you can try....go out to the coop tonight and switch your aggressive WL into the holding pen and let the others back into the big pen and see how she likes being isolated for awhile. Could change the whole picture for the little ones and the big ones too.

I have two runs that are about the same size. Would I just put my aggressive hen into one of the runs by herself, or would I make a separate pen out of hardware cloth? The space in one run is enough for both groups, but the other hens aren't all that nice to the chicks either.
Those chicks are adorable, by the way.

 

[Beekissed]

I have two runs that are about the same size. Would I just put my aggressive hen into one of the runs by herself, or would I make a separate pen out of hardware cloth? The space in one run is enough for both groups, but the other hens aren't all that nice to the chicks either.
Those chicks are adorable, by the way.

At this point there is always going to be a "not nice" time period in which these younger birds will get chased around and bullied a bit because the opportune time to blend is past, but that too shall pass. If you can maybe put a couple of your nicest birds in the chick pen so the chicks can learn some social skills from a couple of good, steady role models, it may help them adjust more readily when they have to be around the more aggressive birds.

Then blend your meaner hens into the chick run a few at a time until they are all in the same run once again. It's worth a shot, anyway. Making a creep feeder for the chicks and a "safety" where the big hens can't follow is also excellent advice.

Space and time is usually the final remedy.

 

[theawesomechick]

Creep feeder? What's that?

 

[Beekissed]

Creep feeder? What's that?

A creep feeder is just one located in an area where the big birds cannot reach but the little ones can...usually this is accomplished with a fence that is set high enough to allow the youngsters to "creep" under it but the big gals can't fit. This is used in all kinds of livestock situations where younger livestock are in with adults and cannot get to the feed due to being bullied or crowded out.

It gives younger birds a safe haven to run to when being chased by older birds and it also guarantees they get to eat and drink in peace.

 

[subhanalah]

A creep feeder is just one located in an area where the big birds cannot reach but the little ones can...usually this is accomplished with a fence that is set high enough to allow the youngsters to "creep" under it but the big gals can't fit.  This is used in all kinds of livestock situations where younger livestock are in with adults and cannot get to the feed due to being bullied or crowded out. 

It gives younger birds a safe haven to run to when being chased by older birds and it also guarantees they get to eat and drink in peace. 

What would be an idea height/width of the opening for the chicks?

 

[theawesomechick]

I have a feeder and a waterer situated in the "hidey-hole" I've been referring to, which is only about two square ft. in space. The chicks can eat and drink, they just can't go anywhere or enjoy life.

 

[Beekissed]

They will....slowly but surely you'll start to see the change. Life will be rough for a bit but pretty soon they will have their own little flock and run together and they will learn to avoid the big birds better. The pecking order is as old as time.