Integration help or encouragement needed

[Esrun]

We just put our six 8 week old pullets in with our three hens full-time. They have had two nights together and today is the second day together. Prior to that everyone has had supervised time outside during the day for a few weeks. Our coop is raised off the ground a few feet and our pullets keep going back into the coop, because the three hens are giving them a hard time. They are not drawing any blood and they don’t seem to be ganging up on them but I’m struggling to know if this is working. Should I just let the pullets send time in the coop until they’re comfortable coming out? Should I keep taking them out? They do have access to come and go, the door is open. And there are some spots that they can go where there’s food and water where they can kind of get away from the hens. I guess I’m just hoping for some encouragement that this will work out. Should I be seeing them doing this still?

 

[Bawkbok]

Well, I'm pretty new with this chicken thing, so more experienced people can probably better speak to this, however, on a smaller numbers scale, I can tell you we just put two 12 week old pullets in with our one adult hen and we had the same behavior for a few days. There are two watering and food stations at opposite ends so they can get away from her when needed. They would seek refuge in the coop, door always open, same as you. They come and go freely but mostly after 9 days in now, they all huddle together, now drink together out of the same trough and eat together. Every once in a while she reminds them she is in charge to keep the peace and chases one of them away. One of the pullets seems to be a little more adventerous and likes to instigate, but quickly runs off. They have to establish their pecking order but it should all work out in due time. It sounds like yours are fine since there is no real bullying or fighting. I find that when I peek on them from a distance, they are happy together, laying in a cuddle puddle, but when I approach they become active and sometimes get in each others' way, lol.

 

[ChicNmom]

Give it some time. As long as they aren't hurting them it's probably fine. I am doing the same thing right now and they all have access to the yard. The little ones get the occasional peck or get chased but they are right back there with the big girls so that tells me it's not serious.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Agreed. If no one is bleeding/injured the older hens are telling the younger ones exactly where they stand in the pecking order. It needs to be worked out amongst themselves.

 

[Esrun]

Agreed. If no one is bleeding/injured the older hens are telling the younger ones exactly where they stand in the pecking order. It needs to be worked out amongst themselves.

Even if it seems the big girls seek them out to peck them? Gosh it sounds awful two have teeny scabs on the fleshy area before the beak starts but it could’ve been something else.

 

[ChicNmom]

Even if it seems the big girls seek them out to peck them? Gosh it sounds awful two have teeny scabs on the fleshy area before the beak starts but it could’ve been something else.

I have one full size girl, Goose, (chicken that honks like a goose)
and she is a jerk. She got a time out in a cage for cornering and harassing my new girl Hennifer.

If you're worried could you make more places for the new ones to get away from the older ones if needed.

The thing is if you take them out now the process will start all over again when you put them back in. If you have one mean hen then maybe give her a time out.

 

[Esrun]

I have one full size girl, Goose, (chicken that honks like a goose)
and she is a jerk. She got a time out in a cage for cornering and harassing my new girl Hennifer.

If you're worried could you make more places for the new ones to get away from the older ones if needed.

The thing is if you take them out now the process will start all over again when you put them back in. If you have one mean hen then maybe give her a time out.

I’m considering this. Would you do a time out away (as in the garage) or in the run? I have a small dog cage I use to break her broodiness. Ps one of these chicks SHE raised! What a brat, her name is Pickles

 

[ChicNmom]

I have a crate in the yard near the coop. It was my broody jail so I used that.

I think it made more of an impression that she could see everyone else in the yard and realize she was in jail.

 

[Bawkbok]

While I was sitting in the run holding one of the newbies, "momma", the adult hen didn't like it and actually flew at me or the pullet, i couldn't tell who her intended target was, if she thought I was hurting her - the pullet was squawking loudly in protest of being held. My old dog training technique automatically kicked in and I pushed her away with fingers straight out, making contact with her neck, upper chest area as she flew at us. She jumped back and stood there looking at me very surprised, like wwhhhaaattt? It was funny. She has made no other attempt while holding the littles. Does she think the young ones are hers and in need of protection?
I don't know how chickens think (does anyone?) and would really like to see an article here on chicken talk and behaviors, or if it exists, I haven't found it yet. If anyone can explain her behavior I'd love to understand why the strong reaction. I'm not concerned, just curious.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Photos of your set up would help. You want plenty of clutter to provide hiding spots and enrichment as well as multiple food areas so the pullets can safely go out in the run without being endlessly harassed by adults.

Otherwise if no blood is being drawn and the pullets can eat and drink most of the time, I'd consider that "good enough." The adults will not fully accept the younger birds as part of the flock until point of lay, so really you just want them to be okay sharing space.