Normal integration behavior, or do we need to separate?

[KetchupsOwner]

Hi!
New-ish chicken owner here.
I am introducing 11 8-week old pullets to our 3 15-week old pullets.
For approximately 5 days I had the younger group in a separate area within the coop, so they could see/hear but not touch.
Last night I raised the divider to allow the younger ones the freedom to leave their space and meet the others.
I’m aware that a pecking order will be established through some pecking behaviors to establish rank… but I’m not sure whether what I’m seeing is normal or if I should separate again for a longer period of time.
The older gals will peck at any chicks that come near them and occasionally chase one to peck at them. I don’t think they’re overly aggressive, but how do I know if they need more time separate to help facilitate the transition?

 

[nuthatched]

Give it another week and try again, there will still be some pecking

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Agreed. I do the "see-no-touch" arrangement for at least two weeks. And for the record, you have two batches of pullets. Your older gals won't be hens till they're a year old.

What will help, when you do combine, is "clutter" in the run. This will be things your littles can get under, behind or on top of to escape the big girls. It should not be anything that will trap the littles into blind alleys, however. So, tables, chairs, pallets set on bricks, pallets leaning against walls or fences, for example. There should also be multiple feeders and waterers, so situated that a bird eating or drinking at one is not visible from another. And plenty of room is always key!

Best wishes going forard!

 

[LaFleche]

If you still see overly aggressive behaviour when starting again, you can switch and keep the three older girls in the cage for a day or two to give the younger ones some time to explore and get acquainted with the new surroundings without being chased around all the time.

Several feeders and water dispensers well separated and if possible out of sight from each other will help also when letting them mingle again.

 

[Mrs. K]

I agree with LaFleche. Put the old girls in the smaller pen, let the chicks out in the big space. This allows the chicks to develop territorial rights. It let the big girls see them in that space.

Out in the run- put in a lot of clutter so that chicks can escape and get out of sight. Mini walls out of cardboard or plywood or a table on its side with a feed bowl on each side allows birds to eat without being able to see a bird at the other side.

It is not that you don’t want any pecking, it is you don’t want endless chasing or a cornering of a bird. Adding the clutter adds places for the chicks to be out of sight and out of mind.

 

[Ridgerunner]

The older gals will peck at any chicks that come near them and occasionally chase one to peck at them. I don’t think they’re overly aggressive, but how do I know if they need more time separate to help facilitate the transition?

This sounds normal to me. Each integration is different, I don't always get exactly the same results, but it is common for older hens to peck at younger chicks that invade their personal space. They may chase them away. It usually takes very little time for the younger to learn to avoid the adults. Mine coexist as separate flocks in the run during the day and sleep separately at night. Having a lot of room helps so they can avoid the older ones.

This typically lasts until the younger ones start to lay. Then the younger are accepted into the pecking order and I have one happy flock. They may still spend some time separated but they can eat together and sleep together without violence.

My goal in this type of integration is not that they are hanging around the campfire together singing Kumbaya and toasting s'mores. My goal is simply that no one gets hurt. That other stuff can come later when they mature into the adult flock.

Is anyone getting physically hurt? If not, then you are doing great.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Singing Kumbaya, @Ridgerunner !

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

My goal is simply that no one gets hurt

This. If you see blood or one little one getting picked on exclusively and kept from food, then intervene. Otherwise let it ride. My last integration I only managed to keep them separate for a couple days. My pullets far outnumbered my hens and it worked out swimmingly. The big girls still boss the little ones around but everyone is eating and no one is bleeding so I have left them to it. Normally I do longer but as pointed out above, each integration is different. You have to feel it out and do what you’re comfortable with.