Shelly214
Hatching
- Jun 1, 2015
- 1
- 0
- 7
Hi! I'm in Dallas and I'm 10 days into chicken keeping. So fun but it is a bit stressful right now. Here's the history
Day 1 - two pullets arrived, 12 week old light Sussex and 16 week old Easter egger. Sussex very sweet, ee skittish. Both take to the coop and have a good routine going.
Day 6 - two more pullets arrive - both 12 weeks (barred rock and a buff Orpington). Both are really friendly but nervous. They have taken to hiding in the coop during the day while the other two are in the run. They only come down when I'm in the coop. They jump straight into my lap because I make sure they're getting food and water. Then at dusk i watch out the window as the "old" two go back to the coop and the new two come down. Instead of going into the coop at night, the new girls are roosting inside the run on a 2x4. (It's predator proof but not where I want them long term).
When the two groups cross paths, there's definitely some pecking and chasing and establishing the pecking order. I knew to expect that. I just hadn't expexted it to break my heart when the two new hens are chased and pecked and blocked from food and water. Ugh.
I just need some moral support! How long can this last? Should I force them together in the coop at night? Or just let them remain in the run until they make the change on their own?
Thank you for any insight! I've scoured the forum and read several chicken books, but in a way, nothing can prepare you!!
Shelly:/
Day 1 - two pullets arrived, 12 week old light Sussex and 16 week old Easter egger. Sussex very sweet, ee skittish. Both take to the coop and have a good routine going.
Day 6 - two more pullets arrive - both 12 weeks (barred rock and a buff Orpington). Both are really friendly but nervous. They have taken to hiding in the coop during the day while the other two are in the run. They only come down when I'm in the coop. They jump straight into my lap because I make sure they're getting food and water. Then at dusk i watch out the window as the "old" two go back to the coop and the new two come down. Instead of going into the coop at night, the new girls are roosting inside the run on a 2x4. (It's predator proof but not where I want them long term).
When the two groups cross paths, there's definitely some pecking and chasing and establishing the pecking order. I knew to expect that. I just hadn't expexted it to break my heart when the two new hens are chased and pecked and blocked from food and water. Ugh.
I just need some moral support! How long can this last? Should I force them together in the coop at night? Or just let them remain in the run until they make the change on their own?
Thank you for any insight! I've scoured the forum and read several chicken books, but in a way, nothing can prepare you!!
Shelly:/
