hi guys!! Ok, long story short-ish. I integrated my young ladies with my older ladies over the course of a couple weeks I think. You know, the whole, "keep them separated by fencing, but let them see each other". Finally when the little ladies were big enough we let them all free range together. Of course there was some chasing and a peck here and there. Well, now they've been completely together almost 5 weeks and they're still being chased (especially around food) and pecked. No wounds ever though. Does integrating usually take this long? The big girls are 9 months old and the little ladies are about 4-5 months.
It can take a good while for everything to settle down. If the pecking/chasing is mainly around food - add more feed stations and place/scatter treats far and wide. If you have treats like cabbage, kale, etc. - hang in a couple of places as far apart as you can.
Sometimes they won't settle down completely. Just make sure they get access to food and aren't too distressed. As already mentioned it will improve, just keep in mind that they're in no danger unless they're wounded. Like @Wyorp Rock said keep them distracted and the big girls will be less interested.
Agreeing, you probably need more feeders/waterers far apart. My girls love hanging fruit or veggies, chicken tether ball, fun to watch.
They are free range pretty much all day and I've been scattering scratch etc in many parts of the yard. I have recently bought a treat ball that you can fill with stuff and it dispenses as they peck and roll it around. I also hung a head of cabbage but they weren't really interested. Thanks for the info peeps! Good to know it could be a while longer for them to establish things
Yep just hang in there Mine took all summer before they could peacefully share food. They are buddies now. If no one is getting hurt then you are doing things right.,
@SwtGrc It's great that they are able to free range. Some do like hanging veggies, while others are like I agree with @Pork Pie Ken as well - didn't even cross my mind, but yes, things do calm down more once everyone is laying. All of yours are youngsters yet, so if there's no major blood being drawn, let them work it out.
The distraction 'treats' are all well and fine.... .....but make sure you have multiple feed and water stations too so everyone gets a good basic nutrition.
Mine took awhile to integrate as well. I made sure I put some hiding places in the coop/run where the little ones could escape the torment if it was too much. 3 months later, they are pretty much one flock now.
