Hello! We have had a small group of birds for the past year (used to be 4, -1 from hawk attack= 3 currently). They were all purchased and raised together, and have gotten along very peacefully, no problems finding the coop and roost at night.
Around Easter we hatched out a few Easter Egger eggs- the 2 pullets we are keeping are now about 12 weeks old. They are very wary and flighty with the older chickens, the Barred Rocks are pretty testy whenever the little EEs are enjoying food, and chase them off, but nobody has been injured or anything like that. The EEs have been choosing to roost outside of the coop, on a shelf/roost inside of the fully enclosed run. Every night for the past month I go outside, I move them to the roost inside of the coop. I think the bigger hens peck them when they try to come up. Are space issues like this normal?
Also, we recently acquired 2 French Black Copper Marans pullets which are around 6 weeks old- fully feathered but still small enough that they can easily be held in one hand. They are very docile and gentle, and seem clueless about the whole idea of a pecking order. I snuck them into the coop last night when everyone was asleep, and they were all together today. I went out tonight after dark, and found these two sleeping out in the open- in the middle of the dirt, outside of the run.
When I watched them today, and the 3 different aged chickens are like 3 distinct mini flocks. Each group is wary of the older group and seems to bully the younger group a bit. No blood or feather missing or anything- just chasing and pecking. Is this just normal chicken stuff? Will they always be 3 separate groups, or when the younger ones are full grown will they integrate into one flock?
Also, how do I help them find the roost at night, and help the little ones get up there without being bullied. I am particularly worried about the little Marans sleeping out in the open.
If anyone could share their experience or advice I would really appreciate it. I am dreaming of a peaceful little flock who put themselves to bed at night- Like I had before!
Thanks!
Around Easter we hatched out a few Easter Egger eggs- the 2 pullets we are keeping are now about 12 weeks old. They are very wary and flighty with the older chickens, the Barred Rocks are pretty testy whenever the little EEs are enjoying food, and chase them off, but nobody has been injured or anything like that. The EEs have been choosing to roost outside of the coop, on a shelf/roost inside of the fully enclosed run. Every night for the past month I go outside, I move them to the roost inside of the coop. I think the bigger hens peck them when they try to come up. Are space issues like this normal?
Also, we recently acquired 2 French Black Copper Marans pullets which are around 6 weeks old- fully feathered but still small enough that they can easily be held in one hand. They are very docile and gentle, and seem clueless about the whole idea of a pecking order. I snuck them into the coop last night when everyone was asleep, and they were all together today. I went out tonight after dark, and found these two sleeping out in the open- in the middle of the dirt, outside of the run.
When I watched them today, and the 3 different aged chickens are like 3 distinct mini flocks. Each group is wary of the older group and seems to bully the younger group a bit. No blood or feather missing or anything- just chasing and pecking. Is this just normal chicken stuff? Will they always be 3 separate groups, or when the younger ones are full grown will they integrate into one flock?
Also, how do I help them find the roost at night, and help the little ones get up there without being bullied. I am particularly worried about the little Marans sleeping out in the open.
If anyone could share their experience or advice I would really appreciate it. I am dreaming of a peaceful little flock who put themselves to bed at night- Like I had before!
Thanks!
