Pecking Order?

[Chillicothechick]

We picked up new chicks on February 23. They have been separated from the chicks we got last year, but they are kept in an area where they can see the older chicks and the older chicks can see them. Most of them are now the same size as the older ones, so we thought we would try opening the door to see if they would merge with the others and if so see what happens.

After waiting forever, one of them finally came out. It was fine looking around until one of the older chickens came over and immediately started pecking it. When another older chicken saw it, they both started pecking it. It just sat there and took it. I was afraid they were going to peck it to death, so we put it back in their separate area.

Is this normal? Are they too young to merge with the other chickens? How should this be handled? Any guidance you all can give us would be appreciated.

Thanks!


Melody

 

[cmom]

Yes, this is normal. Try putting them out in an common area with plenty os scratch grain and seeds. Hopefully the older birds will fixate more on the treats than the younger birds. Also is there a safe place where the younger birds can get away from the older ones?

 

[debakadeb]

I've started putting mine out with the hens I got last year. So far, they have done some pecking, not enough to bring blood, but enough to tell the youngsters who is boss. I've been letting my youngsters out for about 2 hours each evening. Then they go back to their playpen and the hens go to their house. Working pretty good so far.