Integrating new chicks

[Issosilly]

So i have 4 laying hens all around 23-24 weeks i believe and a new batch of an addition 4 all 6 weeks as of today. I have had them outside in a seperate cage attached to the chickens run separated by wire. I put them out there around the 2nd of august so they have been put out their since they were 4 1/2 roughly. I did bring rhem all in with the big girls and they chased the little ones around most of the time trying to peck at them not any like aggressive looking pecks just mainly the chasing while j was there. Just wondering when it would be safe to have them in with the big girls full time should i wait until they are 7-8 weeks cause they have already been separated for a while

 

[thecatumbrella]

I think it's worth an attempt. Make sure you have lots of space, lots of clutter, and lots of feed/water stations. Definitely supervise. Chasing is expected, but you want the littles to be able to get away. If you find the older ones are pursuing the littles relentlessly (and putting them at risk of injury), I'd go back to see-no-touch for another week before trying again.

Also, be aware that just because the two groups cohabit while penned or free-ranging, that doesn't mean they'll get along in the coop.

 

[Issosilly]

I think it's worth an attempt. Make sure you have lots of space, lots of clutter, and lots of feed/water stations. Definitely supervise. Chasing is expected, but you want the littles to be able to get away. If you find the older ones are pursuing the littles relentlessly (and putting them at risk of injury), I'd go back to see-no-touch for another week before trying again.

Also, be aware that just because the two groups cohabit while penned or free-ranging, that doesn't mean they'll get along in the coop.

They were kinda just stancing up the little ones and then chasing them away. And ive had the little ones in their brooder box in the hen house at night so they have shared the same space for a while just not any physical interactions yet

 

[thecatumbrella]

They were kinda just stancing up the little ones and then chasing them away. And ive had the little ones in their brooder box in the hen house at night so they have shared the same space for a while just not any physical interactions yet

Sounds like you have a best case scenario then! Let us know how it goes.

 

[Issosilly]

Sounds like you have a best case scenario then! Let us know how it goes.

There was so pecking and some of it looked aggressive but this morning when i tried it didnt seem nearly as aggressive. They were still pecking but from a new person perspective i didnt notice it in a severely aggressive way more of a territorial way i think? Is that normal

 

[thecatumbrella]

There was so pecking and some of it looked aggressive but this morning when i tried it didnt seem nearly as aggressive. They were still pecking but from a new person perspective i didnt notice it in a severely aggressive way more of a territorial way i think? Is that normal

If the older birds are relentlessly chasing the younger ones around and trying to injure them, then you're going to need to take a step back.

If they're simply "charging" them to protect their personal space, that's normal.

Again, a lot of this depends on your space. Feel free to post a photo if you'd like. If the younger birds can get away, and there are extra feeders and waterers for everyone to share, then you'll be in better shape than if they're cramped in tight quarters with nowhere to run.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

There was so pecking and some of it looked aggressive but this morning when i tried it didnt seem nearly as aggressive. They were still pecking but from a new person perspective i didnt notice it in a severely aggressive way more of a territorial way i think? Is that normal

I just integrated 2 youngers with 3 olders.

2 of the 3 generally ignore or even accept the noobies, occasionally a closed-beat peck in a “Don’t forget who’s the boss here” way. The third was mildly-moderately bullying: taking off from a distance to chase the noobs, cornering them, continuing to peck at them.

A Nerf squirt gun has worked remarkably well on the third.