Integration?

[ILoveBabySilkies]

Hey everyone, so I have 11 chickens a main flock of 6 (12 weeks old) 3 (5 weeks old) 2(2-1/2 week old). My main flock of 6 is out in the coop and has been for a while and I’ve been having the 3 five week olds inside a mini cage in the main coop for a see don’t touch sorta thing. They’ve been in there for 2-1/2 weeks and I’ve been letting them mingle from time to time with the main 6 but they will not stop trying to get the little three. I thought by now I could let them out to intermingle permanently but all of the older chicks especially my two GLW won’t stop hurting them. When will they be able to be together? I’ve never integrated chickens before even though I’ve had many chickens which is a little surprising I know, but I thought they would stop bullying the little ones by now, am I doing something wrong?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You are trying to integrate chicks with chicks, which in my experiences is much harder than integrating chicks with adults. The one time I tried to add to an established batch it took a long time. Yours will remain separate groups until they are much older. Just keep trying, and don't rush it.

 

[ILoveBabySilkies]

You are trying to integrate chicks with chicks, which in my experiences is much harder than integrating chicks with adults. The one time I tried to add to an established batch it took a long time. Yours will remain separate groups until they are much older. Just keep trying, and don't rush it.

This is what I thought, thank you for your input.

 

[aart]

I'd get the 2 younger groups together first....then integrate them with the older ones.

How big are your coops and runs, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help here.

Meanwhile, here's some tips about......
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/