Is this normal?

[dazookeyper]

nice assortment

 

[showgirl3]

what worked for me was i reintroduced the ones that pecked and they didnt peck thier sisters

 

[LE808]

My buff sussex (looks more orp apart from the black ring around the neck) is by far the most agressive but a lovely look bird and a great layer!

 

[tatinatimom]

I have (7) six week olds that I am introducing to my (6) 12 week olds. This can put a new momma hen (me) on pins and needles. It is hard to watch when the older ones peck at the littler ones. We have them separated right now but sometimes they reach their inquisitive beaks through the fence and give a little tap to a smaller one. I know this will be more tormenting to me when there is NO fence between them to protect them.

How do you do it?? IS it best for me to be totally out of the run when we put them together the first time or stay in there incase I need to quickly intervene? We plan to just keep bringing the little ones down for a visit every night and all day on the weekends until they hit about 8 weeks old. We figure they should be a bit bigger and be able to tolerate the older ones picking on them a little better until the pecking order is figured out. Any tips, tricks or ideas to help out?
The front half of the first pic are the little ones. The ones in the back are the older ones. The second picture is the older girls.

 

[aart]

I have (7) six week olds that I am introducing to my (6) 12 week olds. This can put a new momma hen (me) on pins and needles. It is hard to watch when the older ones peck at the littler ones. We have them separated right now but sometimes they reach their inquisitive beaks through the fence and give a little tap to a smaller one. I know this will be more tormenting to me when there is NO fence between them to protect them.

How do you do it?? IS it best for me to be totally out of the run when we put them together the first time or stay in there incase I need to quickly intervene? We plan to just keep bringing the little ones down for a visit every night and all day on the weekends until they hit about 8 weeks old. We figure they should be a bit bigger and be able to tolerate the older ones picking on them a little better until the pecking order is figured out. Any tips, tricks or ideas to help out?
The front half of the first pic are the little ones. The ones in the back are the older ones. The second picture is the older girls.

Probably should watch at first for any significant blood letting.
Multiple feed and water stations, places the smallers can get away from the largers without getting cornered, trapped or piling.

 

[fardar]

I have two groups of pullets, group 1 is 8 weeks old 2 buff orpingtons 2 black australorps. Group 2 is 6 weeks old 3 RIR 1 barred rock 1 blue copper maran. They were in separate brooders while the coop was being built but they we're let outside to roam together with some small chasing around but nothing serious. Now they're in the coop/run the run is 8'x14' and the biggest BO is getting pretty aggressive towards the smaller younger pullets, she chasers them away from food while she's eating, pecks them, and will chase them sometimes just out of the blue. Is this normal and should I be concerned? Should I intervene in any way? If so what should I do? Thanks

 

[Tyaloria]

This Colum is great advice as I am having the exact same problem.

 

[Rao Adnan]

i also facing that kind of problem i have 8 chicken but 2 of them are 2 week smaller thats why bigger chickens packing smaller ones when they near food.

 

[iwiw60]

I have one hen like that except she doesn't push the others around too much...she's just super loud. This is her

I love that pic!!! It's like she's saying "what? ...... you talkin' to ME?"

 

[missnu01]

I have (7) six week olds that I am introducing to my (6) 12 week olds. This can put a new momma hen (me) on pins and needles. It is hard to watch when the older ones peck at the littler ones. We have them separated right now but sometimes they reach their inquisitive beaks through the fence and give a little tap to a smaller one. I know this will be more tormenting to me when there is NO fence between them to protect them. How do you do it?? IS it best for me to be totally out of the run when we put them together the first time or stay in there incase I need to quickly intervene? We plan to just keep bringing the little ones down for a visit every night and all day on the weekends until they hit about 8 weeks old. We figure they should be a bit bigger and be able to tolerate the older ones picking on them a little better until the pecking order is figured out. Any tips, tricks or ideas to help out? The front half of the first pic are the little ones. The ones in the back are the older ones. The second picture is the older girls.

best thing is to turn them in there and stand back and watch and know a peck on the head is nothing to get all worked up about. The problem is if your larger chickens grab your smaller chickens and try to grind them into the dirt or follow them repeatedly pecking them. But a quick tap on the head is chicken speak for im the boss i eat first, this is my spot---so on and so forth. The chicks aren't scarred over it either. They know it is part of being the little hen in the coop so to speak. The more you intervene the longer the pecking will continue. Just let them establish their places and be done with it.