Mixing new chicks with 'old'

[lverner]

I would love some help with this. We have 5 hens that are about 1-1/2 year old. This Spring we got 6 more chicks who have just started laying. We have had them in 2 separate coops and runs. The runs are right next to each other so they've seen each other for awhile. The last month or so we have let them all out to free range. They stay separated for the most part. And sometimes one of the hens will walk over to where the 'new girls' are just to shoo them away (or so it seems). The new girls will NOT fight back or stand up to them. The other day they were all out and one of the new girls came over by the hens. They approached her and she squatted; two of them pecked at her. One pecked a few more times then she finally got up and ran away.

We want to move the old girls into the new barn where the new girls are. So I would like to ask the experts:
1. We've heard we should do this at night. Is that the best way to do it?
2. Is this normal behavior from both sets of chickens?
3. Any advice on anything that has to do with mixing them?

Thank you!!!!!

 

[rIrs roost]

No matter how you do it, they will have to establish a pecking order. Yes this is normal hen behavior. Just make sure that the coop and run is big enough where they can get away from each other. If one gets picked on and there's blood then you'll need to step in. I know it is bad watching them work it out but soon they'll be straightened out. There will still be a little pecking once in awhile but not as bad as in the beginning.

 

[rIrs roost]

Whoops almost forgot. Welcome to BYC

 

[lverner]

Whoops almost forgot. Welcome to BYC

Thank you!

 

[Mrs. K]

Adding the older hens to the younger territory will help a bit. More than likely there will be some pecking, but with the set up you have now, I would not expect much.

Have two separate feed bowls, preferably out of sight of each other. Make sure you have some roosts in the run part, some hideouts and I really think with in days you will have one flock. If they still seem to be a sub flock, cold weather will cure that.

And that is perfectly normal behavior on both parts.

Mrs K