Old hen attacking “babies” ssl

[4girls4chicksmama]

I tried to search for this but maybe I wasn’t wording it correctly. Idk. We had 2 older hens that came together. We then got 4 babies at Easter. One of the older hens passed so now we have 5. The “babies” are bigger than her And she doesn’t really go after the ones that are closer to her size. It’s just one hen in particular. Idk what to do. She’s made her comb bleed and the “baby” just takes it. She doesn’t run or flap her wings. She just lays there When we’re out with them we don’t allow her to do it. But they share their space together. And the baby hangs out under the water bucket and the ramp so the old one won’t get on her I’m sorry this was so long Also I searched too and couldn’t find. Sometimes here lately they’ve been laying 2-3 more eggs/day Sometimes we get 7-8 eggs/day and some of the eggs look puckered on the side. Not on either end, on the side. I attached a pic. Also some are a lighter color on one side. I really appreciate you if you read all that and if you’d please be so kind as to help me. I had roosters growing up and a few hens but my daddy didn’t bother with the hens like we do so idk if he’d have any answers and we didn’t mess with the mamas a lot just bc they always had babies. We didn’t like having to run away from her. But the babies was precious. Thanks if you can help with my questions!!!!!

 

[centrarchid]

Size of pen involved?

 

[RevlisRemmah]

I’ve read in other posts to pen up the bully away from the flock for a time to try to reset the pecking order. Do you have a place you can place the older hen to give the baby hen a break for a few days?

 

[4girls4chicksmama]

We added them together bc they had been getting along when we had to put them together It seemed as tho the older one wanted to be with the babies. we just added the middle part this past weekend Are they still considered babies

Size of pen involved?

Size of pen involved?

 

[4girls4chicksmama]

I’ve read in other posts to pen up the bully away from the flock for a time to try to reset the pecking order. Do you have a place you can place the older hen to give the baby hen a break for a few days?

We added them together bc they had been getting along when we had to put them together It seemed as tho the older one wanted to be with the babies. we just added the middle part this past weekend I guess we can pin her side off I just feel bad bc it seemed as tho she was missing having someone around lol

 

[bobbi-j]

How big is the pen in feet by feet? From the picture, it looks like it may be a bit crowded. It would also be helpful if you could put some hiding places on your run. A way for the younger one to get out of sight of the older one.

 

[rosemarythyme]

How big is the pen in feet by feet? From the picture, it looks like it may be a bit crowded.

the baby hangs out under the water bucket and the ramp so the old one won’t get on her

x2, we really could use measurements. Problem with a small set up like this is it's very difficult to add clutter https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/ to help break up the space and providing hiding spots. That's why the younger bird is using the waterer and ramp as refuge - she doesn't have anything else to provide hiding spots.

Can you possibly expand the set up? Wider would be ideal.

 

[4girls4chicksmama]

It’s 3x18. I have sectioned the babies off from the old one I was just hoping they could be together. Is there a certain amount of time? I was hoping with them being bigger it wouldn’t be an issue. Thanks guys for your help

 

[aart]

I was hoping with them being bigger it wouldn’t be an issue.

Nope, it's all about territory.
Many have found integrating when chicks are tiny works best,
takes some prep tho.
For the future:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

And these apply no matter the age of integration.....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/