Merging chicks

[Hopeful homesteader]

After 2 weeks of look but no touch, this morning I removed the barrier. The 2 groups are 12 weeks and 6 weeks. At first the oldest cockerel kept going after only 1 younger cockerel and pulling feathers, after the third time I pulled out the older one and held him for a good 20 min and had a talk with him, he didn't like it too much but then I put him back in and pulled out the younger 1 he kept going after and did the same. Now each group is staying on opposite sides of the run and occasionally the older girls will run over and peck at the younger ones and then go back (I assume that's the usual pecking order) but I have never seen a pecking order being established so what should I be looking for the tell the difference between bullying and when to leave them be to handle their business? I've never done this before.

 

[DobieLover]

and had a talk with him

Establishment of the pecking order isn't a one time thing. It's dynamic and constantly in flux.

Because you have your flock contained to a run, one of those two cockerels will eventually need to go. Sooner or later, they will fight. Seriously fight, where there will be damage.

The key to integration and flock harmony always boils down to lots of space and lots of things inside that space. Can you post pictures of your setup? How many birds do you have total?


As long as no one is getting cornered and pummeled and no one is seriously injured, they will work things out.