Merged flock … how long until they get along?

[mldlm]

My 2 13 week olds have now been merged with the 4 23 week olds for a week. The older ones are not letting the younger ones alone yet. I am hoping that it just takes time. The littles do their best to stay out of the way, but once in a while, the big ones will peck at them or chase them. The chasing doesn’t last long and the little ones will jump on a roost to get away. It is calmer now than at the beginning. How long does it take for them to be accepted? Am I missing something? They do stay together in the coop at night, on seperate roosts, and all is good in the morning. I put out plenty of snacks when I open the coop to let them out for distractions. I guess I am just wondering if this is typical? Thanks for your input.

 

[sourland]

It's normal pecking order behavior. Provide multiple food and water stations to assure they are getting enough to eat and drink. Eventually they will become one flock.

 

[mldlm]

It's normal pecking order behavior. Provide multiple food and water stations to assure they are getting enough to eat and drink. Eventually they will become one flock.

Good to know! I do have two different feeders and three waterers. Thanks for your input

 

[Mrs. K]

When everyone is laying, the sub flocks will disappear. It will be quite gradual, but about the time the last one is laying, you will notice changes in their roosting, and the sub flocks will just be gone.

Even when you raise chicks up in the flock, they are tolerated, but they tend to stick together in a sub flock, that is pretty obvious when you watch them. Then as they begin to lay, the sub flock just disappears.

Mrs K

 

[Granny23]

Good to know! I do have two different feeders and three waterers. Thanks for your input

I have 2 big waterers and one big feeder for my hens and. I give the 2 chicks their own feeder.