My Chicken Nightmare! How should I fix this...

[AugustTreeFarm]

First off..I am completely new at chicken keeping. Just this Spring we built a beautiful coop and large outdoor run, and sourced out 5 pullets. They are now 20 weeks and 4 are crowing. Of course no one wants our roos, so we have decided to gently and humanely put them down. I am an animal lover from my core.. a vegetarian, and truly loved these boys from the start. I have lost much sleep and cried may tears, but know this is our safest route. I don't trust anyone other than my husband to do the deed gently. That is just chapter 1.

I sourced out my next batch of "pullets" to grow our flock. I wanted them to be around the same age and size as the current 5, but after travelling out to the farm over an hour away, I was met with quite little birds and a very pushy sales lady. I took 6 little "pullets" and created a separation within our coop. You have all helped me determine that out of these 6... Only 2 are hens. We have 4 more roos. Fantastic. At this time I will try to sell them. And continue to raise them.

Here is where we are at now. We are "getting rid" of our 4 large roosters in a weeks time. This will leave one 20 week old Black Orpington Hen alone! All her roos will be gone and I fear for her wellbeing. She seems VERY attached to one of the boys. (They have not started to mate with her, so it has been pleasant for her thus far). I did try to list the two together on kijiji but no bites.
I feel it is too soon to introduce Norah to the younger flock because I see her getting territorial through the chicken wire. She looks like she wants to peck the sh*t out of the little ones quite frankly She is still about double their size!

I'd love your opinion guys.... Should I:
A) Try to re-home Norah, my 20 week old black hen. She is truly beautiful and I'm sure desirable to a good home.. and then grow my little flock with others their same size and age. Make sure they are GIRLS this time!
B) OR Find Norah a few birds her own size and put them in with her at the same time we remove the boys? And simply wait until the younger flock is the same size to introduce everyone all together. But in the mean time... she would have some new gals to get aquainted with. I have sourced some lovely young yet ALREADY LAYING hens on kijiji. So I know they are girls........ lol

What would you guys do? I'm honestly most worried about Norah at this time.

 

[Ebony Rose]

How long have you had this younger batch of chicks? Have they been housed in a look but don't touch space from the older birds, and if so, for how long? Does the space you keep the older birds and wish to integrate the younger birds into have hidey-holes suitable for chicks to make a mad-dash for cover where Norah cannot follow; a safe space where you can put food and water that Norah cannot bar them from? If hidey-holes are not currently available, can you think of a way to provide one or two?
You SHOULD be able to integrate the chicks relatively easily because they've not sexually matured, and therefore are not considered a threat. Integrating chicks is MUCH easier than integrating adult or soon to be adult birds. Some pecking will occur, as they establish who's who in the zoo. A tap on the head is customary, but outright, vicious aggression is not. A stubborn chick may warrant a more severe peck, but should not draw blood. I'm sure others will chime in soon with even more questions and suggestions. My vote is to keep Norah, and the chicks... and if you can manage it, how about Norah's favorite boyfriend?

 

[AugustTreeFarm]

How long have you had this younger batch of chicks? Have they been housed in a look but don't touch space from the older birds, and if so, for how long? Does the space you keep the older birds and wish to integrate the younger birds into have hidey-holes suitable for chicks to make a mad-dash for cover where Norah cannot follow; a safe space where you can put food and water that Norah cannot bar them from? If hidey-holes are not currently available, can you think of a way to provide one or two?
You SHOULD be able to integrate the chicks relatively easily because they've not sexually matured, and therefore are not considered a threat. Integrating chicks is MUCH easier than integrating adult or soon to be adult birds. Some pecking will occur, as they establish who's who in the zoo. A tap on the head is customary, but outright, vicious aggression is not. A stubborn chick may warrant a more severe peck, but should not draw blood. I'm sure others will chime in soon with even more questions and suggestions. My vote is to keep Norah, and the chicks... and if you can manage it, how about Norah's favorite boyfriend?

The new chickens have been in in a "look but no touch" space within the coop for 4 weeks now. When I let the big guys out.. I let the little ones roam the coop and also have some time to explore the run.
I could DEFINITELY create some hidey holes! Righ now there is a little space behind the nesting boxes.. but I could create others!
VERY interesting and helpful to know it is easier merging a hen with younger chickens! Thank you for this!
Regarding keeping Justin..Norahs bf. Doesnt HE need more than just her to mate with ? Wont he tire her out too much as the other 2 hens are still so young?

 

[rosemarythyme]

I would keep her as long as you have the space for dealing with continued integration. Norah is at a bit of a tough age right now, she's not yet laying so still has some teenage crankiness but she's still bigger than the other pullets, so she's giving them a hard time.

Obstacles in the run are always recommended during integration, as well as multiple feeders and possible waterers, spread out through the area.

As far as keeping a cockerel, that's up to you if you want one or not. Since he's not yet breeding her it's hard to say how rough (or gentle) he might be.

I have sourced some lovely young yet ALREADY LAYING hens on kijiji. So I know they are girls........ lol

I hope you know what to look for with these young layers. Don't let someone trick you into taking more boys! Make sure you know what to look for as far as male and female characteristics so you won't get lied to by a dishonest seller.

 

[Ebony Rose]

When Justin starts crowing regularly, put HIM in the look don't touch space for about three weeks IF he's being aggressive with the hens for breeding; typically the cockerels mature sexually before the hens and with raging hormones and burning desire, the poor dudes can get overly amorous. Different roosters have different needs, so determining what his needs will be sexually before he's mature is impossible.

 

[DobieLover]

The new chickens have been in in a "look but no touch" space within the coop for 4 weeks now. When I let the big guys out.. I let the little ones roam the coop and also have some time to explore the run.
I could DEFINITELY create some hidey holes! Righ now there is a little space behind the nesting boxes.. but I could create others!
VERY interesting and helpful to know it is easier merging a hen with younger chickens! Thank you for this!
Regarding keeping Justin..Norahs bf. Doesnt HE need more than just her to mate with ? Wont he tire her out too much as the other 2 hens are still so young?

I too would suggest integrating Norah and Justin with the youngsters. If they are currently in a "look don't touch" space, can you create a door or two in that space that only the littles can fit through? If you can, do that. That way the littles can run back in there for a safe place.
I would also spread out the food at feeding time. Offer many locations for the littles to eat from to avoid irritating Norah because they haven't yet learned to wait their turn at the dinner table.
They will eventually all integrate and you can remove the barriers.
Just watch Justin. He will likely mate Norah first and may leave the younger pullets alone until they are closer to laying age.

 

[AugustTreeFarm]

How long have you had this younger batch of chicks? Have they been housed in a look but don't touch space from the older birds, and if so, for how long? Does the space you keep the older birds and wish to integrate the younger birds into have hidey-holes suitable for chicks to make a mad-dash for cover where Norah cannot follow; a safe space where you can put food and water that Norah cannot bar them from? If hidey-holes are not currently available, can you think of a way to provide one or two?
You SHOULD be able to integrate the chicks relatively easily because they've not sexually matured, and therefore are not considered a threat. Integrating chicks is MUCH easier than integrating adult or soon to be adult birds. Some pecking will occur, as they establish who's who in the zoo. A tap on the head is customary, but outright, vicious aggression is not. A stubborn chick may warrant a more severe peck, but should not draw blood. I'm sure others will chime in soon with even more questions and suggestions. My vote is to keep Norah, and the chicks... and if you can manage it, how about Norah's favorite boyfriend?

We are really thinking we'd rather not keep a rooster. Do you think that would be hard for Norah to handle such a big transition? I suppose we could keep him for a bit!!

 

[AugustTreeFarm]

I would keep her as long as you have the space for dealing with continued integration. Norah is at a bit of a tough age right now, she's not yet laying so still has some teenage crankiness but she's still bigger than the other pullets, so she's giving them a hard time.

Obstacles in the run are always recommended during integration, as well as multiple feeders and possible waterers, spread out through the area.

As far as keeping a cockerel, that's up to you if you want one or not. Since he's not yet breeding her it's hard to say how rough (or gentle) he might be.



I hope you know what to look for with these young layers. Don't let someone trick you into taking more boys! Make sure you know what to look for as far as male and female characteristics so you won't get lied to by a dishonest seller.

Amen to that! I have fallen in that rooster trap and it really isn't fun I'll be SURE this time!

 

[AugustTreeFarm]

I too would suggest integrating Norah and Justin with the youngsters. If they are currently in a "look don't touch" space, can you create a door or two in that space that only the littles can fit through? If you can, do that. That way the littles can run back in there for a safe place.
I would also spread out the food at feeding time. Offer many locations for the littles to eat from to avoid irritating Norah because they haven't yet learned to wait their turn at the dinner table.
They will eventually all integrate and you can remove the barriers.
Just watch Justin. He will likely mate Norah first and may leave the younger pullets alone until they are closer to laying age.

Thank you for your input!!!
What are your thoughts on JUST integrating Norah with the littles and not keeping Justin? Do you think she could possibly take out some aggression on them?

 

[janiedoe]

My hypothesis is that once you remove the cockrells, nora will be less stressed and will probably settle down some. Plus she will enjoy the company of the younger ones and may be more likely to bind with them even through the fencing.
If you don't want a rooster, don't feel guilt for Nora's sake. She will probably be happier with an all girl flock.