Problems merging new chicks with older ones

[ChinaMomto2]

We are very upset here. We raised three "pullets" - and one turned out to be a rooster (they are silver-laced wyandottes). They are big now and 12 weeks old. Then we got two Colombian Rock Cross chicks. They are SO sweet and meek and run and jump in our laps when we let them out of the brooder. They are between four and five weeks old, and we are in hot Georgia, so we have been trying to get the older chicks used to the new ones. First we put them in the coop pen in a guinea pig cage that was their brooder when they were little so they would be protected for a few hours a day for a few days.

Then we let the big chicks out to free range (we watch them when we do this as there are foxes and coyotes and owls) and put the younger chicks out too. The big ones came and pecked on them but would then go off and forage. I expected a little of this to show dominance. It's been more than a week and they are NOT happy. We put them in the coop pen tonight, and the big chicks, led by the ROOSTER we did not want, are pecking them so badly they had blood tonight, and we had to bring them back in. They stink and are too big even for their extended brooder and we can't afford a second coop. I've been out of work. AGH, what do we do? They are so pitiful and press against the side of the pen close to us or go in the large coop and huddle against the wall, even trying to hide their heads

We hate to rehome the rooster, even though he eats a ton of food and will give us nothing. We deliberately bought from a pullets-only batch instead of straight run to get HENS. But I am wondering if we rehome him if the older hen chicks will not beat up so bad on the younger chicks? I keep hearing about chicken cannabibalism and we don't want that to happen to these sweet chicks. I tried running the rooster off countless times, and he just kept running and attacking them.

Is this normal? Any opinions of what we should do?

Thanks!

Jan Johnson

 

[PlankEEP]

I would suggest removing the bullies not the chicks as that should knock them down the ladder and when you reintroduce them in a few days they will be to busy regaining their place in the pecking order to worry about the little ones. My Grandpa always said that new chicken additions to an existing flock should be kept separate but seen for a minimum of 10 days, it helps if things are consistent and calm and when fully integrating of course plenty of feed and clean water as they will pick a fight over anything. But removing the new chickens just starts the process all over again. I currently have four different ages as well and three are being "integrated" with "separation" pens. When blood is drawn we always use Blu-Kote to cover it, it's an antiseptic spray but covers the red since chickens are attracted to it and will continue pecking at it. Hope some of this helps try to be patient it should work out, good luck

 

[ChinaMomto2]

Thank you for replying. We don't have anywhere to put the older ones other then bringing them back in the house and they are too big. I have been out of work and no money for fencing or anything to keep them separate or the skills to put it up. I will try to find some Blue-Kote, though. Wasn't sure what to put on it, but we were worried about them seeing the blood and getting even worse. They aren't bad wounds, but they are red. It's been at least eight days since we have tried to get them used to each other, and it is only worse now. The young ones are good flyers, so I am trying to figure out how to install a taller roost so maybe they can escape that way.

 

[TRMFAM]

Can you take the brooder (guinea pig cage) out to your coop and put your roo in it for a day of time out? Or is he too big to fit? Possibly even leaving the bad players in the coop while the others go out to forage for a day? Just thinking out loud here.