merging my flock

[muddymtnbirds]

I have 8 hens and 1 barred rock rooster (who is still very friendly) all 21 weeks old. And I am merging my 12 week old flock of mixed breeds. I divided the coop at first and had the little chickens in there separated for about a week. After that I took down the tarp and they were free to go chill outside and do whatever. the big chickens were a little territorial at first, but nothing too bad, no visible injuries or anything on the little guys. However... they have had the coop door open every day now for 3 weeks and the little chickens just don't want to go Outside. It's weird. I've never had chickens before these ones, but the older 9 chickens never were this weird about going outside.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don’t know how big your outside is. If it’s a run, younger chicks will avoid older chicks. It has to do with the pecking order. Mature birds outrank immature birds and will enforce their pecking order rights if their personal space in violated. Sometimes they will be a little more aggressive in defending those rights. Younger chicks soon learn it is wise to form a separate flock and just avoid those older bullies. If the adults are in the run, they are in the coop.

If you free range where they have a lot of outside room, there may be a bit of this going on but yes, that sounds weird. They should have discovered they can go outside without getting beat up by now.

 

[aart]

I don’t know how big your outside is. If it’s a run, younger chicks will avoid older chicks. It has to do with the pecking order. Mature birds outrank immature birds and will enforce their pecking order rights if their personal space in violated. Sometimes they will be a little more aggressive in defending those rights. Younger chicks soon learn it is wise to form a separate flock and just avoid those older bullies. If the adults are in the run, they are in the coop.

If you free range where they have a lot of outside room, there may be a bit of this going on but yes, that sounds weird. They should have discovered they can go outside without getting beat up by now.

Ditto Dat^^

 

[muddymtnbirds]

They share a very large pasture with the goats. Basically free range. I don know what their deal is :/