introducing chicks to flock

[TheBajan]

Hi everyone,
I'm back with a couple of questions. I have 19 pullets and 2 cockerels that are 8 weeks old. I got them all at the same time from TSC. I also have 2 pullets and 4 roosters that are 6 weeks old that I got right after they hatched (it was a straight run). We have had all of them in their hen house for two and a half weeks. The younger chicks have been in a large crate with chicken wire around it so everyone has been able to see each other but the babies have still been separate. Everyone seems to be fully feathered out and we have just completed the run. Tomorrow, we are hoping to open the pop door and let the flock out of the hen house and into the run. I was thinking it might be a good time to integrate the two flocks together. The younger flock is comprised of Lav Orpingtons and they are obviously not equal in size but getting closer. The older chicks are comprised of Brahmas, Buff Orpingtons, Australorps, and Ameracaunas. I kinda thought that since they will all be entering a new environment tomorrow that it may distract them all from picking on the six smaller ones. Any thoughts?

 

[RodNTN]

They will probably be fine Don't freak out if anybody gets pecked, it's normal. Just make sure no one gets seriously injured, and that no blood is drawn.

 

[chickens really]

Let them go...
Has to be done at some point right?....

 

[blackdog043]

They should be fine, light pecking and some chasing might go on. As long as none get pinned down and pecked at, you will be good to go.

 

[jessg84]

On Friday I put my 4 6 week old chicks with my 4 2 year old hens. The chicks have their own crate that they sleep in and have food and water in that the hens cannot get into. I also fenced off a portion of the yard with small holes in the fence so only the chicks can go in that area. My one barred rock is really chasing the chicks a lot when they come out. She doesn’t seem to be hurting them and they are able to get to one of their safe areas but she does not seem to be letting up. The other 3 hens seem to have little interest in the chicks. Will my barred rock eventually calm down? I have heard of separating out a bullying hen, I wasn’t sure if I should try this or just let them work it out on their own?

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

My experience with merging flocks with adult barred rocks has not been favorable. I had to rehome my barred rock and RIR when I merged flocks, because they were literally ripping my poor other hens’ apart. They tore out the bottom feathers of 2 of my other girls and literally were ripping off and eating their flesh! (Sorry for the graphic details........) I separated the 2 bullies for 10 days and reintroduced them with the same results. I ended up rehoming both the RIR and BR where they free range full time with minimal issues. Both injured hens are happy again and have made a full recovery!

If you free range, your BR may eventually relax a bit, but if she is at the top of the pecking order she will continue to put the others in their place..... just keep a watchful eye on her!

 

[jessg84]

With my BR I always thought she was at the bottom of the pecking order. My hens don’t seem to pick on each other too much but she was always the one picked on.