Introducing hens/babies

[Meggyp]

I purchased 6 new babies (3 barred rock & 3 bantam brahma)on April 1st, they are all healthy with 1 known rooster. In addition to them I adopted a 9 month old bullied hen (black maran) last Thursday. She is missing all her neck feathers . This is in addition to my 2 full grown hens (red star <brown> & australorp <black>). Brown is accepting the new maran but black is jumping on her back. I have only let them free range together so far.
Maran always migrates towards the babies...


Should I pur the babies in with maran 1st then combine coops or should I let all 3 grown hens get comfortable and let the babies grow more.

 

[chkva]

I would let the babies grow... My only concern would be the bullied hen being continually picked on due to her looks. She is different than the others due to missing feathers and it may cause yours to bully her as well.

I wouldn't put a hen with chicks unless it's the chicks mother. Hens can be quite aggressive towards babies.

 

[ReagyEggy]

Keep free ranging the older hens until they seem to get used to each other. Chickens will naturally fight new chickens to find out where they belong in the pecking order. If they continue to fight and even get injured, perhaps put them in cages or pens side by side, and use the see but don't touch method.

The chicks are too young. I wouldn't risk letting the older hens hurt the chicks. We have tried introducing little chicks to big hens in the past, and although some of our hens did nothing, some of them looked like they wanted to peck the little babies. Wait until they're older to try introducing, or do the see but don't touch method if you really want to.

Good luck to you! Keep a watchful eye and be patient when adding new members to your flock.

 

[Meggyp]

Thank you! They all free range well together so I will continue until the hens get bigger

 

[Alaskan]

Some hens will mother anything, and Marans are often broody.

I would, while you are right there, introduce the Marans to the chicks.

If everything looks good, grab a book and sit next to them for an hour watching. If she calls them to eat and drink, and they respond, and if she poofs out like a fat ball trying to cover the chicks, then you are set. Keep them together.

I would however first look her over very closely for parasites.

 

[aart]

I purchased 6 new babies (3 barred rock & 3 bantam brahma)on April 1st, they are all healthy with 1 known rooster.

How old are the 'babies'?

Welcome to BYC! @Meggyp
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[Mrs. K]

A lot depends on your set up. Often times runs and coops are just bare areas. Take a look in your run, can a bird get out of sight of another bird? Too many times I see just a big open rectangle. A bird can't get away from each other.

In the run, add roosts, add junk, add little mini walls or pallets or boxes. When an aggressive chicken sees a lower hen, she postures and the lower chicken retreats. If that chicken can step out of sight, most of the time it is over. But if that chicken cannot get out of sight do to the set up, then the aggressive chicken takes that as an affront, and acts more aggressively to make her point.

You can add the chicks, if you give them a safety zone, a pallet up on blocks, where the bigger birds can't get under, or at least are slowed down. Multiple feed places, out of sight of other feed places can really help too.

Mrs K

 

[Meggyp]

Babies are

How old are the 'babies'?

Welcome to BYC! @Meggyp
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!
View attachment 1759130

Babies are about 5 weeks old. I live in North Carolina so warmer weather.

 

[feathermaid]

A lot depends on your set up. Often times runs and coops are just bare areas. Take a look in your run, can a bird get out of sight of another bird? Too many times I see just a big open rectangle. A bird can't get away from each other.

In the run, add roosts, add junk, add little mini walls or pallets or boxes. When an aggressive chicken sees a lower hen, she postures and the lower chicken retreats. If that chicken can step out of sight, most of the time it is over. But if that chicken cannot get out of sight do to the set up, then the aggressive chicken takes that as an affront, and acts more aggressively to make her point.

You can add the chicks, if you give them a safety zone, a pallet up on blocks, where the bigger birds can't get under, or at least are slowed down. Multiple feed places, out of sight of other feed places can really help too.

Mrs K

Excellent advice! This is exactly what I do too.

 

[Meggyp]

To update...

I attempted to put the babies in with the maran because she wanted to be near them while free ranging and the babies didn't mind her. The 1st night went well so I went to work, my boyfriend tried to let the maran out to free range but she wanted to stay with the babies. When I got home from work I let everyone out to free range. The babies were absolutely terrified of her and wouldn't leave my feet. After examining them I found several peck markings on my runt and some marks on the other babies. Instantly I decided this was not okay and am now using a extra large dog cage for the look but don't touch method with my 2 grown hens. I am undecided if I should keep her or rehome?