Is it possible…

[Micmac1234]

…that my current flock will never accept my new chickens? I have 6 chickens, 2 hens that are 24 weeks and 4 pullets 23-24 weeks. The new girls are 13 or 14 week old australorps. I got them September 25th and they’ve been in a crate in the coop with time to free range in the yard with everyone.

I put them on the roosting bar with everyone starting two nights ago and yesterday they free ranged with the girls, went back in their crate, but roosted at night. Today I left them in the coop with the girls all day.

they were in the coop with everyone for the whole morning and early afternoon but since then they’ve been hiding behind the nesting box/dresser and they are not sleeping on the roosting bars with everyone.

When they’re free ranging with everyone they do get chased occasionally by 2 birds in particular and I noticed some pecking in the coop with everyone but it wasn’t constant and they were able to get away.

Should I put them back in the crate and wait longer…? I’m going to let them all free range in the morning but I don’t know if I should crate them after they free range or if they should go back in the coop with everyone. I’m just nervous about them getting food and water because I had a second source for them when they were in the crate but I didn’t move it back behind the dresser (I moved the dresser out to give them that corner to hide in case they needed to) I just hoped that they wouldn’t so I haven’t put food and water back there.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I noticed some pecking in the coop with everyone but it wasn’t constant and they were able to get away.

No I would not re-separate them. This sounds normal and acceptable so I wouldn't interfere as long as it doesn't get worse than this.

I’m just nervous about them getting food and water because I had a second source for them when they were in the crate but I didn’t move it back behind the dresser (I moved the dresser out to give them that corner to hide in case they needed to) I just hoped that they wouldn’t so I haven’t put food and water back there.

You should have multiple feeders and water sources, especially when integrating. Even without integration I have 4-6 food bowls out in the morning, for 10 birds, all spaced out to minimize competition for food.

 

[Tonyroo]

My chick's have been living in sight of there parents. Now there about the same size as everyone at 15 weeks. Yesterday was the day they actually slept with there parents on the roost without incident.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Your 24-week old birds are also still pullets, by the way. They're not considered hens until they are a year old. Do you have a run, or are their only options coop (enclosed building) and free range? If there is a run (fenced yard), put obstacles in it the little ones can hide behind, under or on top of to get away from the older birds. Open-ended tunnels, pallets leaning against each other in an A-frame configuration, even old chairs or tables work well. Be sure your extra feeders and waterers are not in direct line of sight of each other. And be patient. They will work things out in a few days. Just make sure nobody is being picked on to the point of bleeding.

 

[Micmac1234]

No I would not re-separate them. This sounds normal and acceptable so I wouldn't interfere as long as it doesn't get worse than this.

You should have multiple feeders and water sources, especially when integrating. Even without integration I have 4-6 food bowls out in the morning, for 10 birds, all spaced out to minimize competition for food.

Thank you!!! That’s good to know, I need to add more feeders.

 

[Micmac1234]

Your 24-week old birds are also still pullets, by the way. They're not considered hens until they are a year old. Do you have a run, or are their only options coop (enclosed building) and free range? If there is a run (fenced yard), put obstacles in it the little ones can hide behind, under or on top of to get away from the older birds. Open-ended tunnels, pallets leaning against each other in an A-frame configuration, even old chairs or tables work well. Be sure your extra feeders and waterers are not in direct line of sight of each other. And be patient. They will work things out in a few days. Just make sure nobody is being picked on to the point of bleeding.

Oh my gosh really?! I thought they were hens when they started laying I learn something new about chickens everyday.

But thank you! There was no bleeding yesterday. They’re in a coop/run. It’s just a really, really big coop but I do have plans to create a run for them and there will definitely be obstacles when I do.

 

[Micmac1234]

My chick's have been living in sight of there parents. Now there about the same size as everyone at 15 weeks. Yesterday was the day they actually slept with there parents on the roost without incident.

Thank you!!!