Introducing new Chicks

[Georgeschicks]

Hello!
I have posted about this once before. But conditions have changed, so I have more questions. I have two 7-week old pulleys and one 7-week old rooster. I am planning on giving the rooster away sometimes next week and I want to introduce the babies to my 4 18-week old hens. One of the babies (hen) recently scalped herself and the skin has grown back but there is still a small scab and no feathers. I was wondering whether I should wait longer? The one who is hurt has not been with her friends for the week that she has been injured. Should I introduce her back to them first and then introduce them all to the big chickens? The roo is still so tiny but he’s not docile at all, should I even bother introducing him since I’m giving him away? I have never done this before, so any advice would be appreciated. I tried to have them separated a fence so they could see and not touch, for about three days, but the little chuckles escaped into the big girls side and that is how the baby got hurt. I would prefer not to try that again. Thanks!

 

[Lauren Kim]

I do not recommend placing the little hens with the older ones. You may put them in the same run and separate the coop in half- one half for the fully grown ones and one half for the kids. If you place them together, it is most likely that the bigger ones will pick on the little ones and bully them. Although it is not normal, bigger hens CAN kill chickens that are 8 weeks of age and younger.

If you have a fence that has larger gaps in tem, you should buy a fence with smaller holes so that they do not escape.

 

[Georgeschicks]

I do not recommend placing the little hens with the older ones. You may put them in the same run and separate the coop in half- one half for the fully grown ones and one half for the kids. If you place them together, it is most likely that the bigger ones will pick on the little ones and bully them. Although it is not normal, bigger hens CAN kill chickens that are 8 weeks of age and younger.

If you have a fence that has larger gaps in tem, you should buy a fence with smaller holes so that they do not escape.

The fences holes are tiny about the opening of a paper towel, but thank you for the advice!

 

[chickens really]

I introduce Birds while they free range...I sit and watch for any real attacks...Small fights are normal....Look no touch during the times they are alone...Only takes a few days that way....Good luck....

 

[Georgeschicks]

I introduce Birds while they free range...I sit and watch for any real attacks...Small fights are normal....Look no touch during the times they are alone...Only takes a few days that way....Good luck....

So on the area of real attacks, the big chickens walk over to the babies peck them until the babies hide somewhere, then they leave them alone. Ten minutes later they do the same thing, should I be worried? They haven’t drawn blood but some of the pecks are very hard and they like to pull the babies skin.

 

[chickens really]

You are the only one seeing what your seeing....Keep an eye on them....Things can get bad pretty fast ...