Plz helpppp

[Chickenpoop11]

i recently hatched 3 chickens. 2 of them roosters and one hen. The are about 8 weeks now. The hen was lonely so I bought another hen. A 20 week old one. Opps! And now the older one is pecking the younger one. How do I deal with this? I also wanted to know when she will start laying? She seems irritated and has a red comb. (I reposted this in this forum because I think I posted it in the wrong forum before)

 

[featheredplanets]

It’s probably best to separate them for now and find a few friends the same age as your younger pullet. Give them a week or two, then integrate them into the older pullets’ coop/run. The 20 week old one should be laying within the month, but laying will probably be delayed by the stress of the younger pullet and moving

 

[Chickenpoop11]

It’s probably best to separate them for now and find a few friends the same age as your younger pullet. Give them a week or two, then integrate them into the older pullets’ coop/run. The 20 week old one should be laying within the month, but laying will probably be delayed by the stress of the younger pullet and moving

I live in a suburb and don't have enough space for more chooks, is it possible to have them together for a bit longer before i can buy a new coop/shelter?

 

[featheredplanets]

Your little pullet will just keep getting bullied unless you resolve the issue. And as she’s small, she’ll become your elder pullets’ favourite toy. You could provide her a smaller makeshift box only she can get into so she has a safe space. Did you keep your cockerels? You could put her back in with them but you don’t have enough hens to rooster ratio in the long run. You could see if someone would exchange a younger pullet for your older pullet? There’s not much fun or kindness in keeping them alone or forcing them to live together.

 

[tjb]

When I have introduced younger pullets into my coop, I have had a "safe zone". An area about the size of medium dog kennel and left an opening just large enough for the smaller pullet to go thru for safety. it would go out and explore and if it was pecked on, would know where to go to get away from the larger. I have done this several times and usually within a week or two, the severe pecking stops and I take the kennel out....

 

[azygous]

You have discovered that chickens don't need "friends", and introducing a new chicken into a flock is not as simple as a new kid walking into a classroom.

As @tjb has pointed out, with time and space and places to get away from a bully, your chickens will adjust.

Also, you would be wise to find homes for those young cockerels. That will free up your limited space to add a couple more pullets.

Introducing older birds isn't as difficult as it may seem. It just requires proper planning and time and patience. I've found in three weeks a new bird has found their way into the pecking order and has been accepted. But I provide safety during this process. http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock

A panic room set up where smaller birds or baby chicks have a safe refuge where the bigger birds don't fit, as @tjb mentioned, is a safe and easy way to integrate them.

 

[Chickenpoop11]

Your little pullet will just keep getting bullied unless you resolve the issue. And as she’s small, she’ll become your elder pullets’ favourite toy. You could provide her a smaller makeshift box only she can get into so she has a safe space. Did you keep your cockerels? You could put her back in with them but you don’t have enough hens to rooster ratio in the long run. You could see if someone would exchange a younger pullet for your older pullet? There’s not much fun or kindness in keeping them alone or forcing them to live together.

i got rid of the roosters so now its only the 2 girls but i am planning on getting a second coop.

 

[Chickenpoop11]

When I have introduced younger pullets into my coop, I have had a "safe zone". An area about the size of medium dog kennel and left an opening just large enough for the smaller pullet to go thru for safety. it would go out and explore and if it was pecked on, would know where to go to get away from the larger. I have done this several times and usually within a week or two, the severe pecking stops and I take the kennel out....

thanks! this helped alot