New Chicks Vs Old Chicks! Help!

[JAllender]

So we merged the younger chickens (18 weeks) with the older chickens... and I was hoping you all would tell me when these chickens will accept them...

The buff orphingtons are too sweet they are older chicks and don't ever do anything to anybody....

We have two black astrolaps and they are kinda nice...

and then we have the rest barred rocks and the funniest thing is the meanest hen is one of the ones that got caught by a racoon but I tended to her and fixed her all up ...(last yr) and she is going after the chicks like she ruler of the roost!

I feel sorry for the new ones... They are Barred Rocks and Silver Laced Wynodettes.... (9 of them) One Rooster.... and they all huddle up in a corner by themselves ...while the older chicks enjoy themselves ( 7 of them)

How long before everyone gets along?!

Last night I had to go out and catch everyone and put them in the coop to go to bed!

Jen

 

[sourland]

Welcome to the 'pecking order'. The 'survivor' is "ruler of the roost", and she is proving this to the rest of the flock. Remove the dominant hen for a week or so, and hopefully upon reintroduction she will get her butt kicked and have an attitude adjustment. What is happening is normal chicken society - it ain't pretty. Provide food and water in several places so that the younger birds get to eat and drink. As long as blood is not being drawn things will resolve.

 

[JAllender]

Thats exactly what we did! We have food and water in two spots!

Last ngiht when I caught each one of them... WHich wasn't fun in 100 degree weather..... and I put them in the coop they stayed in there for the night!

Just wondering how long i will have to keep putting them in the coop!?! If I don't do it... they huddle in the corner scared

Jen

 

[chfite]

I blended 12 week New Hampshire Reds with Barred Rocks 1 year old. They spent a month side by side, separated by fencing. The Barred Rocks just put up with them.

One Barred Rock turned out to be dominant hen. She spent some time teaching the new pullets that they were low on the totem pole She would chase them some, but never drew any blood with her behavior.

Now at 16 weeks, they are still low on the totem pole and get run out the area at times by the same hen. Otherwise, everything seems fine.

The rooster does not seem to treat them any differently, except that they are immature. He has not tried to mount any of them.

They have separate food, but over time everyone eats from both of the feeders. I stopped the separate waterers once I discovered that they all would drink from one. Less work for me.

So long as none is being injured, it should work itself out.

Chris