Integrating new chicks

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Ok, so I ended up putting an old wagon on some blocks for the chicks to hide under. I would let them in the run while the big girls free ranged. Put their food under there to show them it's safe and would "chase" them. Let them free range (with my supervision). The bigger ones would squack or peck them to get them to leave them alone but nothing serious. Then meany heard them and came running across the yard, bit them, threw them into the air, and once I got her she had a mouth full of feathers 😭. Today is in the 80s and the chicks are nearly 6 weeks old so I let them into the run with me there. Some bigger girls left them alone, some chased a bit, and some gave a peck or two but, again, nothing serious. Meany saw them and sprinted towards them. I caught her before she got to them and she started attacking me. shes in chicken jail right now. The babies are scared of the big ones and run to shelter when they feel scared ( mainly just from the big girls presence) but so far they're doing great. We will reevaluate with meany in a few days. I put my hand in the give her water and she bit me again. Not happy with her right now.
 
Mamatomany123 said:
. shes in chicken jail right now. The babies are scared of the big ones and run to shelter when they feel scared ( mainly just from the big girls presence) but so far they're doing great. We will reevaluate with meany in a few days. I put my hand in the give her water and she bit me again. Not happy with her right now.
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She may need to go.
Solve for the peace of the flock.
 
So I just contacted a friend of mine who has chickens. Shes going to come pick her up tomorrow. Hopefully a new established flock will put her in her place but if not she will become friends dinner. My husband keeps telling me this is normal behavior because shes "probably the alpha".I keep telling him it's not normal to throw chicks in the air and throw yourself against a cage trying to get them. Or for her to bite me. Men 🤦‍♀️
 
aart said:
Excellent!
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Went ahead and dropped her off tonight. One of the babies went into the coop and she went ballistic trying to get to her. Didnt want to chance them poking their head through the dog crate bars and her killing it. They have her isolated and will let her join the flock in the morning when they feed them. They have sexlinks they're going to put her with who are bigger than her and also a rooster. Hopefully theyll teach her manners.
 
Alright, so I didnt lock the babies in the brooder last night. Just put them into the coop and closed the door. They huddled together in a corner (like most chicks do). Woke up this morning and all chicks and chickens were fine. I have a chick feeder seperate from the bigger girls just to help not cause any problems but the babies followed the big girls to their food and started eating. Not a problem for them. Babies are running around everywhere, really enjoying the tree branches I have set up in there. Bigger girls are behaving really well. Kind of sad I had to get rid of the other girls but glad I made that decision for all of the girls.
 

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