New hens & old hen not getting along?

[wullus]

Okay, so let me start at the beginning. We used to have five chooks and one rooster. However, four of the hens ate some rat poison by accident, and hence, died the next day, leaving only the very stunned rooster and hen.

My mum's friend (who incubates and raises chicks) gave us three, 3-week old chicks which we put with these two. They sorta stayed out of each others way... well the big hen would give small threatening pecks whenever they went near.

Last Thursday, I went and bought four point-of-lays to replace the dead ones. I put them all in the same coop together and left them. I came back an hour later, and watched for a bit: the old hen that survived the rat-poison keeps pecking all the new hens whenever they get close to her (and her food). Her and the rooster stick together most of the time.

Later on in the afternoon, the new point-of-lays started to peck the little chicks that are in there, whenever they walk near or get close to each other. That night, only the rooster and the old hen where sitting on the perch, with the four pullets huddled up together on the nesting box. I picked em all up and put them on the roost together (except the chicks), which no one seemed to mind, but they still don't sleep together to this day.

And today we chucked scraps into the coop, and it was only the old hen and the rooster eating them - the old hen giving the others a threatening glare and peck if they came close.

Will they keep this up for long? Will it all work itself out? Also, we let the old hen and the rooster free-range sometimes, but how long should I wait to let the chicks/point-of-lays out? We've had the chicks locked up in the coop for nearly 2 weeks, the point-of-lays, about 3 days Thanks

 

[Mrs. K]

I would think the worst is nearly over. While you are getting pecking, it does not sound bloody. As long as it is not, let them work it out. Put out an extra feeder station and water bowl. When you feed scraps, spread them out around the pen, or put out a handful, let the dominant chickens get started on them, and then put out the rest a ways away.

From the way you described it, in about 4 months, you will have a true flock, that is when the chicks will be full grown. However, they will be peaceful, much sooner than that. You don't say how old the rooster is, if he is less than 12-14 months, he really has not come into his own yet. As he gets older, the flock becomes more peaceful. I saw a big difference when mine got to be 14 months.

As for the roost, it won't hurt a chicken to camp out on the floor, until they are ready to roost. Just leave them alone.

As for letting them all out, I would go ahead. It really only takes mine a day or two to figure out where the coup is.

MrsK

 

[flagirl]

I just put 2 new 1 yr old br's in with my flock of 10 3 yr olds last nite whild they were all roosting. this morning i watched and excet for a little peck everyone seems fine. I have rr's bo's sex links and 1 other barred rock. 1 of the new br's is pretty fiesty and when pecked by the adult br, she pecked back and they did a little chest butting. I also let my girls out to free range in the afternoon. should i keep the 2 new ones in the coop for a couple days, or will they follow the others?