Mean Girl Hens

[anbhean]

So I'm trying, emphasis on TRYING, to introduce my two young hens into an established mini-flock of three. Due to having to leave town and a unwilling chicken sitter-- I only have till Wednesday to have them totally acclimated and in the coop all together. For the last two weeks they have been checking each other out through wire fencing. Then last night we tossed the two young girls (18 wks) in with the three old girls (almost three years) but then took them out at dark.

The usual pecking order stuff occurred. My flogging Barred Rock whom we call "Duchess" because she's a real er, um... royal pain has gone full attack a few times, but no blood. Nothing too terrible. Again tonight we tossed the young 'uns in and pretty much same reaction only slightly less so. We plan on putting them in the coop area tonight in a dog crate.

Here's the problem-- my mean girl old hens will not let the young ones in the shade, or drink water. As hot as it's been, I'm worried. I can go out and intervene, but my chicken sitter (my very non-amused, non-chicken loving father) will not do this. I am really worried that the older hens will essentially kill my younger hens by bullying them out of the shade and away from the water and cooking the poor things in the sun. What can I do?

Also, am I nuts to hope that tomorrow night I can slip the two young ones in the actual coop after dark? Because they are in a secure shed, we don't close the actual coop door. If I leave the dog crate in the inside run area for them to run to if need be... how likely am I to come out in the morning and find pecked to death pullets?

 

[anbhean]

Oh, also, we have several shade locations in the outer run available to the hens. But no matter where the younger girls hide, if it's in shade the older girls chase them right out into the sun.

 

[Den in Penn]

It a shame you don't have more time. Best you can do is put them together and hope, And put water in several shady spots.

 

[anbhean]

It a shame you don't have more time. Best you can do is put them together and hope, And put water in several shady spots.

We did put out extra waters and at first it was working, but then the older girls decided to play keep away water and keep away food and keep away shade.

I was totally stressed, but by afternoon, the older girls lost interest and were letting them drink.

As for sleeping arrangements, things went well with them in the dog crate next to the coop last night. Albeit, it was a noisy morning fraught with threats and complaints. So, I guess tonight I am going to risk it and stuff the little girls in the coop after dark when the others are dopey and not paying attention. I read that's a good trick to try.

I have one more day and one more night after tonight to get things smoothed over. Otherwise I will be sitting out my first vacation in five years, while my husband goes with two out of three kids. Which would stink.

 

[Den in Penn]

They finally let them drink."
I would think that the older ones will finally let them live too. If they haven't drawn blood yet they'll get there.