Introducing 5 week olds to eight week olds

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sunshinegirl12

sunshinegirl12

In the Brooder
7 Years
Apr 30, 2012
18
0
24
Southern New Jersey "The Garden State"
Help!!! I need some advice or thoughts on this subject.... We have a total of 8 female Buff Orpingtons. 5 of them are just turning 8 weeks and the other three are just now 5 weeks. We moved the first five to their new coop 3 weeks ago (needless to say they were getting to big for the indoor pen). They've been loving it. So, we just moved the other 3 to their new home this weekend (same reason, same coop) and they were introduced to the older girls just today. Anyway, it seems that three of the older ones seem to be accepting the young girls ok, however, there are two girls that like to threaten or bully the babies... It's not a constant, but every so often throughout the day, they would get a wild hair.

We are really new to this and my question is: Is this normal that the olders would pick on the younger and is there any suggestions are how to deal with it? It's really stressing and making me worry how they will be through the night, since it is their first time all together... Am I just over thinking things..... :/
 
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yes i think it's normal and it shouldn't be a problem given that they are only 3 weeks apart in age. but if they continue to be real aggresive try to separate them with a screen or something for a couple of days. ours are 6 weeks old, last week we took them out of the brooder and put them in this cage down at ground level so the grown ups can get used to having them around. next week im going to open a little door so they can go exploring around but still be able to run back to shelter if they start to get picked on.
 
Thank you for your thoughts on this subject, something to think about. Since I'm in Jersey, it's 9:30pm now, so I've been keeping an eye on the girls in their coop all evening. So far so good. They seem to be much less aggressive in their coop then running around in the pen. Im praying that it is short lived and gets better tomorrow.. Thank you again. :)
 
introducing mixed aged chicks can be very stressfull for everyone! I just finished introducing my two six month old buff orps to my two eight week old red comets. After letting them free range together for about four weeks, I penned them together at night, added another roost and an extra food and waterer. The little ones respect their elders, and with the exception of an occassional quick peck by the big girls all is going well. I think it helps that the little ones are about half the size of the older ones.
 
Hello and welcome to BYC
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Glad you joined us!
 
Well the girls made it through the night and they don't look any worst for the ware. The little ones were'nt willing or ready to come out of the coop this morning when the door got opened. I just let them stay until they were ready to come out on their own. I was just checking on them and it appears that I may have witnessed something but not so sure. The big girls (all five) went into the coop chasing the little ones, but they strategically placed themselves as if they were herding the little ones to go outside. Whatever they did, it worked, the little ones are out. I think it will get better as each day goes on...... Thanks again for all your thoughts and suggestions. I'll take whatever I can get. By the way I am having so much fun since we decided to raise chicks. They are a world of entertainment. :)
 
Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan :D

Sounds like things have settled down. It its normal for there to be some scuffling, but if you have a persistent bully separate her in a small pen our cage for a few days - that usually settles them down.
 

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