Older hens killing 11 week old chicks

[Yardraptor]

What is your set up? I use a pen for the chicks but it doesn’t allow the chicks to go vertical at all.

This is when I put them in the coop with the hens but the pen is their own space.

 

[Yardraptor]

This is key. Unlikely that would happen in only 3 days, especially with 11 week olds which are big enough to look more like a threat vs 11 day old chicks, which are less likely to be seen as a threat.

At minimum I'd give it 1-2 weeks. And if you don't already have ample clutter in the run, clutter it up (and if you do, move everything around to confuse things a bit before you release the younger birds).

Thanks. What kind of clutter do you use?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thanks. What kind of clutter do you use?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/page-6#post-25037140 - This is mine but there's plenty of other clutter suggestions in the thread as well.

 

[WingItRanch]

What is your set up? I use a pen for the chicks but it doesn’t allow the chicks to go vertical at all.

I have the main coop/run and a smaller one right next to it. Here you can see my hens glaring through the fence:

Could you maybe fence off part of the run for the newbies?

 

[ChicnRitch]

I had them separated for 3 days. In the past that was long enough but that doesn’t seem to be the case this time.

I'm no expert - but I'm thinking the babies need more time. I am always so stressed out when it's time to integrate . I wait till the babies are at least 8 weeks old. And this year we expanded the coop so I was able to give the babies their own space separated by a temporary screen. They lived in that space for dang near 2 months...and even then, the older girls were trying to bully them...but with a lot of supervision and space with hiding spots for them to run to, they found there way! Maybe you can set them up again...just give it more time...I hate the thought of you loosing any of your babies

 

[Kurczaklover]

I have the main coop/run and a smaller one right next to it. Here you can see my hens glaring through the fence:
View attachment 4151790

Could you maybe fence off part of the run for the newbies?

I have a homemade brooder in the coop (I used a metal based student sized computer desk for the base) when the chick don't need a heat lamp any longer they go there. when they out grow that space I use the 7' x 3 1/2' cage below for about 2 weeks. When the chick are close to half the size of my smallest hen, I use 2 metal garden stakes to hold the door at a specific size opening so only the babies fit, with food & water inside. I make the opening a little bigger every week or so, until a hen can fit. By then they are close in size and have it figured out. Still keep some easy hiding spots though just in case, like a board against the wall. It is not exact science, but err on the side of a longer lookie but no touchie period.

 

[NetherLeeFarm]

I had them separated for 3 days. In the past that was long enough but that doesn’t seem to be the case this time.

3 days? No way. Maybe it's worked before, but I'm surprised. However, some flocks and breeds take newcomers more easily.

We move our chicks from the brooder to a separated area in the coop at about 3 weeks and then start slowly integrating at about 5 weeks, but even then it takes about 2 more weeks before the newbies are fully integrated and roosting with the older ladies.

I'm so sorry you lost a baby, but the at the first sign of conflict, it's time to slow down and back off.

 

[SDOH]

Oh. 3 days isn't really enough in my experience. I separate them but they are able to see each other for at least 4 weeks.

Agreed. Based on all of the literature I have read, 4 weeks is fairly common.

 

[iwltfum]

3 days? No way. Maybe it's worked before, but I'm surprised. However, some flocks and breeds take newcomers more easily.

We move our chicks from the brooder to a separated area in the coop at about 3 weeks and then start slowly integrating at about 5 weeks, but even then it takes about 2 more weeks before the newbies are fully integrated and roosting with the older ladies.

I'm so sorry you lost a baby, but the at the first sign of conflict, it's time to slow down and back off.

Ok I have a question about all this. My chickens are completely free range, no run. Their door opens to the world in the morning (about 2-3 hours after the sun rise) and they go where they want. The door closes after dark. I have woods, pasture, and thick brush areas near-by the coop - and chickens mostly like to hang in the woods and thick brush. This is the way I've been keeping my laying flock for 8 years now. When I introduce new chicks to the coop, I just put them into the coop one day. Usually around 2-4 weeks old depending on the weather. Sometimes I put an excluder with some feed and water and a tiny bit of space to be in if they need it. They almost never use the excluder and I've never had a problem with this method. Of course sometimes tensions boil and the older chickens occasionally chase the younger chicks around briefly, but I've never had one injured or killed. This business of keeping the chicks in a separate pen visible but no direct access seems like a lot of work. Am I able to avoid this process of introduction because I'm free ranging? I don't quite get it. Am I just getting lucky?

 

[WingItRanch]

Ok I have a question about all this. My chickens are completely free range, no run. Their door opens to the world in the morning (about 2-3 hours after the sun rise) and they go where they want. The door closes after dark. I have woods, pasture, and thick brush areas near-by the coop - and chickens mostly like to hang in the woods and thick brush. This is the way I've been keeping my laying flock for 8 years now. When I introduce new chicks to the coop, I just put them into the coop one day. Usually around 2-4 weeks old depending on the weather. Sometimes I put an excluder with some feed and water and a tiny bit of space to be in if they need it. They almost never use the excluder and I've never had a problem with this method. Of course sometimes tensions boil and the older chickens occasionally chase the younger chicks around briefly, but I've never had one injured or killed. This business of keeping the chicks in a separate pen visible but no direct access seems like a lot of work. Am I able to avoid this process of introduction because I'm free ranging? I don't quite get it. Am I just getting lucky?

This is just a theory on my part but I think the reason its working for you is because you're introducing the chicks at a much younger age. At only 2-4 weeks old, the adults don't see them as competition. Of course, the free ranging probably helps.