I have an odd problem; I'd like to let my momma hen introduce her chicks into the flock, they are average a week old and have been out in the coop with momma and without other hens in with them. I tried to put my exceptionally floppy head hen in with them, to see if things would turn out alright. Well, apparently my sweet silkie isn't so sweet, and I know now why my head hen is the head hen. No one got hurt, I was there and stopped it within a few seconds. The silkie attacked the head hen who was not doing anything, and if she tries to do that again with almost any other hen in the coop (she is almost at the bottom of the pecking order) in will probably end up in blood. I'm worried most about the chicks being trampled during something like that. (Keeping hold of them is like popping popcorn with the lid off!)
I'm thinking of putting our rooster in with momma and the chicks instead; I doubt she would attack him. If she did, he would never hurt her; he's a little gentleman. And I would try to stay in there the whole time.
I'd like to get them integrated into the coop before they become pullets and cockerels, because, judging from my flock's past reactions, they may not take older chickens very well. I think it may be better if they could grow up with them. Momma's also very unhappy about staying in a kennel for most of the day. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks!
Oh, and I've already showed the chicks to most of the hens, while I was holding both parties; the hens did not show any aggresiveness other than a this-is-so-that-you-know-that-you-are-lower-in-the-order-than-me peck. They seemed fine.
I'm thinking of putting our rooster in with momma and the chicks instead; I doubt she would attack him. If she did, he would never hurt her; he's a little gentleman. And I would try to stay in there the whole time.
I'd like to get them integrated into the coop before they become pullets and cockerels, because, judging from my flock's past reactions, they may not take older chickens very well. I think it may be better if they could grow up with them. Momma's also very unhappy about staying in a kennel for most of the day. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks!
Oh, and I've already showed the chicks to most of the hens, while I was holding both parties; the hens did not show any aggresiveness other than a this-is-so-that-you-know-that-you-are-lower-in-the-order-than-me peck. They seemed fine.