New to this. Need some help

micrendle

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My family is so excited that we got some chickens this weekend. We have a coop that is for four chickens and we got a bantam dark brahma pullet and an ameracauna pullet who is I think a few weeks younger than the brahma. We also got a 2 week old polish chick. They are all adorable. The chick is inside in a breeder for the next few weeks and we have had the pullets in their coop and in the yard with supervision. My big concern so far has been that the brahma is really bullying the Ameracauna to the point where she is not letting the Ameracauna get to the food easily and the Ameracauna is staying on the upper level of the coop it seems out of fear. But even when they are in our very large back yard the brahma is going after the Ameracauna for no apparent reason. Although sometimes it seems to be about food. I am trying to give them food separately when they are out so I can make sure the younger one is getting enough to eat. I am really concerned that when the Polish is ready to go in the coop in the middle of June, it will be more pecking and bullying.
Please advise. Thanks so much for your help in advance. :)
 
My family is so excited that we got some chickens this weekend.  We have a coop that is for four chickens and we got a bantam dark brahma pullet and an ameracauna pullet who is I think a few weeks younger than the brahma.  We also got a 2 week old polish chick.  They are all adorable.  The chick is inside in a breeder for the next few weeks and we have had the pullets in their coop and in the yard with supervision.  My big concern so far has been that the brahma is really bullying the Ameracauna to the point where she is not letting the Ameracauna get to the food easily and the Ameracauna is staying on the upper level of the coop it seems out of fear.  But even when they are in our very large back yard the brahma is going after the Ameracauna for no apparent reason.  Although sometimes it seems to be about food.  I am trying to give them food separately when they are out so I can make sure the younger one is getting enough to eat.  I am really concerned that when the Polish is ready to go in the coop in the middle of June, it will be more pecking and bullying.  
Please advise.  Thanks so much for your help in advance.  :)
I know they have to establish a pecking order and all, but my brahma sassy does the same thing when it comes to the food, I just put food in diff areas for them and water, sorry I have no real helpful solutions for you but I understand what your going through, good luck!!!
 
Hello :frow and Welcome To BYC! It is generally best to wait until chickens are about the same size or the smaller ones are about full size before combining them, and then to do it gradually. A long period of time separated by wire usually works well, ie if you can split your run into parts or put the new/smaller birds in a cage in side the run, that helps them get to know each other and sort of establish their pecking order without anyone getting hurt. There is a nice article in the Learning Center on combining flocks or adding birds to your flock https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock
And a great place to check out in general is the BYC Learning Center, lots of nice articles on all aspects of poultry keeping https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center
 
Welcome to BYC! If you do separate the chickens due to bullying, make sure to remove the bully instead of the one being picked on. Then you can re-introduce and see if the pecking order can be rearranged. Good luck to you!
 
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