Hi all,
I've been having issues introducing two pullets (now 17 weeks old) to my existing flock of 3 mature hens. they have been in a separate run right next to my existing pen for over 10 weeks. my idea was to get them all familiar with each other. at 15 weeks i tried to introduce them into the flock and the hens (2 of 3) really pick on them and are very aggressive. to the point in which i pull them out of there. some serious pecking on their heads. they either just submit, or fly to the top of the coop because they are better fliers than my big birds. I have tried numerous times to slowly introduce them but as soon as i set them down the hens really attack. i have tried a couple times to put them on the roost at night when they are all calm. it works for the night but in the morning the chaos ensues. I would of thought at this point (17 weeks) that everything would be fine. Should i just let them go and let nature take its course or are there some times where you just cant introduce certain chickens with others? I am out of ideas. any advice would be great! thank you.
I've been having issues introducing two pullets (now 17 weeks old) to my existing flock of 3 mature hens. they have been in a separate run right next to my existing pen for over 10 weeks. my idea was to get them all familiar with each other. at 15 weeks i tried to introduce them into the flock and the hens (2 of 3) really pick on them and are very aggressive. to the point in which i pull them out of there. some serious pecking on their heads. they either just submit, or fly to the top of the coop because they are better fliers than my big birds. I have tried numerous times to slowly introduce them but as soon as i set them down the hens really attack. i have tried a couple times to put them on the roost at night when they are all calm. it works for the night but in the morning the chaos ensues. I would of thought at this point (17 weeks) that everything would be fine. Should i just let them go and let nature take its course or are there some times where you just cant introduce certain chickens with others? I am out of ideas. any advice would be great! thank you.