We just got 2 new chicks for the first time in April, around Easter. They're about 2 months now. Yesterday we brought 2 new pullets home that were slightly bigger. The New Two ( as they are called) pick on our old ones. Why do they do it? I know it's to establish the pecking order, but the smallest of the old ones is taking all of it. What to do?!?
a lot of places recommend keeping them separated but able to see each other for the first while (not sure for how long). It might be worth hanging off on mixing them until the old smaller ones are a bit bigger and can fend for themselves. I'm getting some new chicks to add to the flock and I'm dividing the coop in half/ front to back so that the chicks will be protected from the hens but they can see one another. When they're big enough then I'll take the divider out at night, put the hens up on the roost with the older ones and monitor them carefully. I hope it works.
what is really needed is a hideout, and a space the small one can get out of reach. Multiple levels in the run can also help, such as roosts, a pallet on blocks. MrsK
x2 Mrs K! I have a log on top of mason bricks, to create a bridge/roost area. It provides an obstacle to break up the space, plus, the chooks can run under the coop and hide, or under the ramp. Inside the coop there is a "loft" area and a roost - plenty of places for a lower ranking chicken to run and get away...