Newbies

[CraterLakeChick]

I have flock of 5 hens that are about 1 year old. I am trying to introduce 2 new chicks that are about 4 months old. A couple of the older hens are not having it. And are giving the chicks a real hard time.
I was told to put the new ones in the coop at night, and they will just wake up, like nothing is new. That has not worked.
Any suggestions on how to get them all to just get along.

 

[bobbi-j]

This is the reality of chicken society. It's not pretty, nor is it kind. The hens are just establishing the pecking order with the young ones. How much space do they have? Do they free range? If they're penned, do you have some hiding places for the younger ones? How about feeders and waterers? More than one of each is a good idea. If the older ones are not drawing blood or causing serious stress (cornering them for extended periods of time, not allowing them to eat, etc) I'd just leave them together and let them sort it out. Just make sure you have separate feeding and watering stations, and places for the little ones to get away from the older ones.

For what it's worth, the adding them at night thing didn't work for me, either. Chickens may not be the brightest animals on the planet, but they're not that stupid, either. The only time I've had success adding at night was when I was putting baby chicks under a broody hen after I'd determined that the eggs she was sitting on weren't going to hatch.