Need help mingling chicks after recent event.

[SomePickleJuice]

Hi,
I have been trying to mingle my chicks with my hens for a week or two now and recently there was a heat wave. The temperature was 90 during the day and like 60 70 degrees at night. I separated them and left them outside so they could get used to the coop and living outside. They're 4-5 months old and they're good size so I thought they would be ok. In the middle of the night on of them broke out of the separated area and went into the hens living area. This made my hens angry and they pecked it to death. I have what I was told is a broody chicken and its always attacking me when I go to take eggs and I think she's the one who killed the chick. After this I'm worried if they will continue to kill the rest. Should I continue to have them mingle or just separate them completely? Any answers will be great.
Thanks.

 

[Kerry J]

I'm so very sorry for your loss. Darn it! If you're able to spend some time out there with them, that will greatly help. You can watch them, you can help the new ones get acclimated, and you can get your broody one out and about. Unfortunately, it is common for "newbies" to be bullied, even to death. You need to be the "yard duty" supervisor and monitor the process for them. Wishing you the best of luck! Happy BYC Day!

 

[DDNONIN2016]

Hello and welcome....so glad you joined BYC

Sorry you lost a young one. Sounds like you are doing the right thing by separating them. You dont mention if they are separated but can still see each other as in just a fence between them ??? That is what I do. Make a separate area but with fence between them so they can be "together" but no contact. Then I let mine out to free range together every evening. This way the younger chickens have plenty of room to escape being picked on. Now, when it rains or hawks are in the area they all congregate in the covered run or coop together without much aggression. Hope that helps

Good luck to you

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, SPJ, and

! Pleased you joined us but sorry to hear about your dead chick. I agree with what DDNONIN advised. Good luck to you!

 

[chickenpooplady]

from Ohio and God Bless!!! Sorry about your loss.

 

[drumstick diva]

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC!!!

Glad to have you aboard!!

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! Glad you joined us!