Integrating Chicks with Pullets

[WendyTestaburger]

I have 4 chicks (two 5 week olds and two 6 week olds) who I have been doing the see but don't touch method with for a little over a week with my two 11 week old pullets.

Yesterday I tried some supervised mingling while they were in a large fenced in area I set up with lots of clutter for hiding spaces. I put out two waterers and feeders for them. There were probably 8-10 pecks over the course of 2 hours? One big girl got a small feather off my 5 week old Orpington

I wanted to ask, how much pecking is normal? I know it's to be expected and I've read on here not to stop it unless it's severe but it's still hard to see. If this seems a little too aggressive I'll probably try another week of see no touch. I have been feeding them together against the barrier in the run so they get used to eating together. The pecking seemed to be pretty evenly distributed between my two 11 week olds, they'd forage a long time and then randomly charge the littles. One time my 6 week old Speckled Sussex chased the big girls back in the coop which everyone got a kick out of.

We are planning to leave for a short vacation in 3.5 weeks so I do feel some pressure to get them to a point where I'm confident no one will get hurt before we leave.

Thanks for any help/advice you can offer.

 

[am7039]

I have 4 chicks (two 5 week olds and two 6 week olds) who I have been doing the see but don't touch method with for a little over a week with my two 11 week old pullets.

Yesterday I tried some supervised mingling while they were in a large fenced in area I set up with lots of clutter for hiding spaces. I put out two waterers and feeders for them. There were probably 8-10 pecks over the course of 2 hours? One big girl got a small feather off my 5 week old Orpington

I wanted to ask, how much pecking is normal? I know it's to be expected and I've read on here not to stop it unless it's severe but it's still hard to see. If this seems a little too aggressive I'll probably try another week of see no touch. I have been feeding them together against the barrier in the run so they get used to eating together. The pecking seemed to be pretty evenly distributed between my two 11 week olds, they'd forage a long time and then randomly charge the littles. One time my 6 week old Speckled Sussex chased the big girls back in the coop which everyone got a kick out of.

We are planning to leave for a short vacation in 3.5 weeks so I do feel some pressure to get them to a point where I'm confident no one will get hurt before we leave.

Thanks for any help/advice you can offer.

As long as you are giving them plenty of room to get away from the older ones which it sounds like you are, I would just keep doing what your doing. Providing multiple feeder to allow the little ones to access food and water so they are getting bullied from one feeder or waterer. It sounds like your doing everything right. They should be just fine.

 

[WendyTestaburger]

As long as you are giving them plenty of room to get away from the older ones which it sounds like you are, I would just keep doing what your doing. Providing multiple feeder to allow the little ones to access food and water so they are getting bullied from one feeder or waterer. It sounds like your doing everything right. They should be just fine.

OK thanks. We had hatched 6 eggs in July and four of them turned out to be cockerels which I just returned to the farm yesterday (heartbreaking for me bc we loved them) before doing this experiment so emotions are high and seeing the pecking was especially difficult. But I'm excited for all our girls to get past this stage and become one big happy family.

How long does the pecking and chasing usually go on for or does it all depend on the individual birds?

 

[WendyTestaburger]

As long as you are giving them plenty of room to get away from the older ones which it sounds like you are, I would just keep doing what your doing. Providing multiple feeder to allow the little ones to access food and water so they are getting bullied from one feeder or waterer. It sounds like your doing everything right. They should be just fine.

Your chicken in your profile picture is awesome btw

 

[DobieLover]

I have 4 chicks (two 5 week olds and two 6 week olds) who I have been doing the see but don't touch method with for a little over a week with my two 11 week old pullets.

Yesterday I tried some supervised mingling while they were in a large fenced in area I set up with lots of clutter for hiding spaces. I put out two waterers and feeders for them. There were probably 8-10 pecks over the course of 2 hours? One big girl got a small feather off my 5 week old Orpington

I wanted to ask, how much pecking is normal? I know it's to be expected and I've read on here not to stop it unless it's severe but it's still hard to see. If this seems a little too aggressive I'll probably try another week of see no touch. I have been feeding them together against the barrier in the run so they get used to eating together. The pecking seemed to be pretty evenly distributed between my two 11 week olds, they'd forage a long time and then randomly charge the littles. One time my 6 week old Speckled Sussex chased the big girls back in the coop which everyone got a kick out of.

We are planning to leave for a short vacation in 3.5 weeks so I do feel some pressure to get them to a point where I'm confident no one will get hurt before we leave.

Thanks for any help/advice you can offer.

They're doing fine. Pecks from higher ups when a lower ranking member violates space is perfectly normal. Feathers get yanked out occasionally even after they've fully integrated. Pecking and chasing will usually go on until they've all started to lay. Then the flock settles into a routine and friendships form.
If you want to see something really brutal, watch them during the roost time rumble. Ugh! They're HORRIBLE to each other!!
One other thing I like to do if the littles are having a tough time eating at feeding time is I put lots of flat stones all around the run/pen and make a mash out of at least half of their feed and put dollops of this on the flat stones. That way there are lots of places for someone to run to and get a bit to eat.

 

[am7039]

Your chicken in your profile picture is awesome btw

Thank you! That's my polish Lena. She is such a character.

 

[WendyTestaburger]

They're doing fine. Pecks from higher ups when a lower ranking member violates space is perfectly normal. Feathers get yanked out occasionally even after they've fully integrated. Pecking and chasing will usually go on until they've all started to lay. Then the flock settles into a routine and friendships form.
If you want to see something really brutal, watch them during the roost time rumble. Ugh! They're HORRIBLE to each other!!
One other thing I like to do if the littles are having a tough time eating at feeding time is I put lots of flat stones all around the run/pen and make a mash out of at least half of their feed and put dollops of this on the flat stones. That way there are lots of places for someone to run to and get a bit to eat.

I will try the food mash on rocks. Thank you for the advice

Does the roost bickering happen before they go to sleep? Just want to know what to expect, I had no idea about that

 

[am7039]

OK thanks. We had hatched 6 eggs in July and four of them turned out to be cockerels which I just returned to the farm yesterday (heartbreaking for me bc we loved them) before doing this experiment so emotions are high and seeing the pecking was especially difficult. But I'm excited for all our girls to get past this stage and become one big happy family.

How long does the pecking and chasing usually go on for or does it all depend on the individual birds?

I'm not sure it ever really stops. I have integrated multiple hatches into my original flock and even my oldest girls peck eachother especially when fighting for the best spot on the roost. It will get better though once they establish a pecking order. Right now they are focused on showing the little ones they are top dog. I found it will typically be the one lowest on the pecking order in the older group that will bully the little ones.

 

[DobieLover]

I will try the food mash on rocks. Thank you for the advice

Does the roost bickering happen before they go to sleep? Just want to know what to expect, I had no idea about that

When the birds go in for the night and roost is when the rumble starts.
The Roost Time Rumble is one of the most brutal times of day for the chickens. And it happens every night.

 

[Bodhisan]

I found it will typically be the one lowest on the pecking order in the older group that will bully the little ones.

In my first experience with integration, I found the same. Out of our three original hens, the lowest hen is the bully to our young girls. It appears to be quite the power trip. I honestly can't imagine integrating chicks without having a nice large space for them to escape and hide. As someone pointed out in a prior post, the chicks are always quicker and more lithe than the hens, so it's not hard at all for them to get away -- and quickly discover their finesse and agility. They can almost be like flies to the hens - swatted at, missed, and then come right back.