Introducing my chicks to my hen

[Chickensarecool123]

Hello From the title you can tell i need help introducing them, not meeting for the first time putting them in the same coop, the chicks have no problems at all with the outdoors or anything at all, except for my hen/ 8 week old pullet (I now realize hen is not the term) the chicks are sometimes scared of her because well she’s significantly bigger and older (6 weeks difference) we are going on vacation in less than 3 weeks and we need them to be able to live in the same coop together, any tips for getting them in the same coop without fighting, or more the chicks being terrified for their life (all though our pullet never hurts them or makes them bleed, she just needs help sharing her space) but when we give the chicks and her treats while in the coop they could not care less. I need your guy’s advice on what to do to keep them in the same coop with out terror~ thanks in advance

 

[Debbie292d]

Hi!

We blend chicks with adults a lot. The biggest thing they need is two places to get food and water, and lots of room to run away if they are pecked.

The other thing you might do is put something heavy like a pallet and lean it against a wall or fence that the littler ones can hide behind, and put their food/water dishes close to there. Some use a dog/cat carrier, but mine never go in those.

 

[Chickensarecool123]

Hi!

We blend chicks with adults a lot. The biggest thing they need is two places to get food and water, and lots of room to run if they are pecked away

Our coop isn’t the biggest, and our older pullet doesnt mind them using her food or water, or so it seems, the coop already has a tiny run and we have lots of hiding places and shade, should i just let the chicks roam free?

 

[Debbie292d]

Our coop isn’t the biggest, and our older pullet doesnt mind them using her food or water, or so it seems, the coop already has a tiny run and we have lots of hiding places and shade, should i just let the chicks roam free?

I would surely try it!

It always works here. Sometimes a hen can be mean but they learn fast to stay away from her. These are silkies who most think are so sweet, but we have a few here that can be nasty mean!

 

[Chickensarecool123]

I would surely try it!

It always works here. Sometimes a hen can be mean but they learn fast to stay away from her. These are silkies who most think are so sweet, but we have a few here that can be nasty mean!

Thanks for the advice definitely will try it!

 

[Debbie292d]

Thanks for the advice definitely will try it!

Before you leave them, I'd try be sure the little ones are indeed able to get food/water. It sounds like they can, and might be chased away or scared when she's there, but eventually if they can go eat and drink without being chased away, then it's "mission accomplished!"

 

[Chickensarecool123]

Before you leave them, I'd try be sure the little ones are indeed able to get food/water. It sounds like they can, and might be chased away or scared when she's there, but eventually if they can go eat and drink without being chased away, then it's "mission accomplished!"

They can already eat and drink from their but my pullet keeps cornering them and pecking at them (no blood or feathers/fluff pulled) just normal pecking order things, any more advice though?

 

[Debbie292d]

They can already eat and drink from their but my pullet keeps cornering them and pecking at them (no blood or feathers/fluff pulled) just normal pecking order things, any more advice though?

What if you put a box or two in a couple of the corners with a hole big enough for the littles to get in, but she can't? I'd maybe put a huge rock on top though so she doesn't perch on it and potentially knock it over, trapping them in there.

I honestly wouldn't think this would last too long as after a few days, these all seem to get along much better. There's always the evil eye of the hens though, and they just keep their distance.

 

[Chickensarecool123]

What if you put a box or two in a couple of the corners with a hole big enough for the littles to get in, but she can't? I'd maybe put a huge rock on top though so she doesn't perch on it and potentially knock it over, trapping them in there.

I honestly wouldn't think this would last too long as after a few days, these all seem to get along much better. There's always the evil eye of the hens though, and they just keep their distance.

Fed them some treats together and now they all couldn’t care less, all though my evil hen’s pecking order place does sometimes make her peck at them, they are fine now, and I’m evicting them ! Thanks again for the advice it really helped