newcknlady
Hatching
- Jul 18, 2022
- 1
- 1
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I just started my first flock. Three weeks ago I got my first batch of pullets - 7 in total, all different breeds - and one roo. The pullets were about 18 weeks old and the rooster is about 20 weeks old. I was suppossed to get 5 other pullets on the same day, a little younger - 10 to 12 weeks - but they were delayed. Flash forward three weeks - the current flock is doing well and finally the additional 5 arrive. They are slightly smaller than the existing girls, one very much so. I do not have a way to have 2 seperate spaces so I put the new ladies in the coop. Everything went okay - they stayed in their little group and there was a little chasing them around from the initial group but nothing serious. They all roosted together that night and every night since.
So here is my issue - I initially noticed that the new girls weren't coming out of the coop. They were staying towards the back. I thought they just were nervous. After watching for a couple of days I now know the existing group is not allowing the new group out of the coop. Every time one of them tries to venture out they are chased back inside. The new ladies now won't come close to the front of the coop, which is also where food and water is. In the morning when I go in and the existing flock ventures outside they run to the water and food until one of the existing flock comes back in and chases them to the back. The roo is also chasing them back inside when they come out.
None of the ladies are laying yet (new or existing). I did move the waterer to the middle so that they can get to it - it is hot here and I worry about dehydration. I also took some feed and scratch and started putting it on the floor in the back so that they have food even if they can't get to the front or outside. My question is, is this normal and just the ladies establishing their pecking order? Can I expect this to taper off over the next few weeks? I am concerned that this is unusual and will be a long term issue.
For informational purposes the coop is very large - bedroom size, about 8x18 ft. The run is also very large. The coop is well ventilated with one completely opened side (w/ hardware cloth), spaces under the eaves and a small window cut in the back. So the ladies aren't in a super small space.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
So here is my issue - I initially noticed that the new girls weren't coming out of the coop. They were staying towards the back. I thought they just were nervous. After watching for a couple of days I now know the existing group is not allowing the new group out of the coop. Every time one of them tries to venture out they are chased back inside. The new ladies now won't come close to the front of the coop, which is also where food and water is. In the morning when I go in and the existing flock ventures outside they run to the water and food until one of the existing flock comes back in and chases them to the back. The roo is also chasing them back inside when they come out.
None of the ladies are laying yet (new or existing). I did move the waterer to the middle so that they can get to it - it is hot here and I worry about dehydration. I also took some feed and scratch and started putting it on the floor in the back so that they have food even if they can't get to the front or outside. My question is, is this normal and just the ladies establishing their pecking order? Can I expect this to taper off over the next few weeks? I am concerned that this is unusual and will be a long term issue.
For informational purposes the coop is very large - bedroom size, about 8x18 ft. The run is also very large. The coop is well ventilated with one completely opened side (w/ hardware cloth), spaces under the eaves and a small window cut in the back. So the ladies aren't in a super small space.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
