Integrating new chicks

[Christie25]

Hello I know this has been talked about a bunch on this thread because I've read every single one and most end with "let them work it out" which I have been trying to do but I think its actually making my 9 week old chicks seem more isolated.

I did the initial integration within the coop in the dog cage. Seemed to be going well, I then did supervised visits in the run and my big hens bullied them a little but let them stay out in the run and eat/drink. Now my big hens are escalating to chasing and scaring my 9 week old chicks back into the coop and not letting them out (they spend all day in the coop with food and water now) They throw them off the roosting bars and I have to go back in to make sure they leave them alone or else they'll continuously peck at them.

I do have a brooder box within the coop. Should I seperate the 9 week old ones again and wait until they are bigger? Or is this normal chicken behavior and they'll work it out? Im kind of at my breaking point with it, I feel terrible for my 9 week olds.

I have 8 just over a year old hens (5 being ISA browns the bullys) and I'm adding 3 mystic marans.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[DobieLover]

I'm sure you must realize that the first question that will be asked is, can you please post pictures of your setup? The hands down biggest problem with integration generally comes down to insufficient resources. And the number one insufficient resource is usually space.

my big hens bullied them a little

Don't mistake bullying with teaching chicks their place. True bullying is relentlessly pursuit and inflicting injury.

Now my big hens are escalating to chasing and scaring my 9 week old chicks back into the coop

This sounds to me like a lack of space possibly compounded by not enough feed stations.

I currently have 17 hens, 10 9-week-old pullets and cockerels and 4 six-week old pullets and cockerels. I have three clusters of stump arrangements as well as flat rocks scattered about the run in addition to 10 linear feet of feed troughs for food to go in. There is no bickering at food time they just play musical feed stations. You can try something similar.

Having lots of places to perch and things to hide behind is also very important. If a chick does not get away from a senior hen fast enough that might elicit a peck and or a chase to drive it off. Being able to get out of the line of sight of the pursuer helps a lot. That means you need clutter in your run.