Older hens "patrolling" new chicks

[lilgreencoop]

I put our young chickens (10weeks old) in with the flock Monday night. They seemed to do suprisingly well. Now, the little ones seemed to be confined to the coop by a few of the older hens. Every few minutes the hen (they rotate between 3 of them) will come in, make sure they are still in there (backing them into a corner) and go out. WhenI go in to tend to the young chickens one of the Rhode Island Reds comes storming in very agressive like. Any thoughts? The little ones seem fine but if the older hens are watching so closly...I know they are not getting out to eat or drink. I put the little ones out in the run earlier. They grabed a bite and a drink of water but were soon scared back in by the RI Red.

 

[angel8035]

It is a good idea to put extra food and water out when you combine flocks so that the new ones can't be bullied away. Maybe put an extra water and food dispenser in the coop with the younger chicks till they sort out a pecking order.

 

[Mrs. K]

You might also put a fence, one that is too small for a full grown bird to get through, but small enough that the smaller ones can. Put a feeder and waterer on the far side of that.

 

[lilgreencoop]

Great ideas. Thanks so much!