Pullet nasty to chicks

[rosemarythyme]

That's the sort of thing I'm worried about. If it's always going to be a problem everytime I hatch or buy chicks it might be best to remove her from the flock. I also wouldn't want to hatch chicks from an aggressive hen, just as I wouldn't from a rooster.

Just keep in mind that even if you remove her (whether temporarily or permanently), with the next batch of chicks, the bird that's the bottom of the pecking order (or another low ranked bird) may exhibit some of the same behavior. It's just how it goes, every batch of chicks I integrate gets pestered by one of the lowest ranked birds. I've never had to separate but I also tend to not interfere, as I expect the chicks to learn to run for safety and to stay away from the bully.

 

[redinator]

Just keep in mind that even if you remove her (whether temporarily or permanently), with the next batch of chicks, the bird that's the bottom of the pecking order (or another low ranked bird) may exhibit some of the same behavior. It's just how it goes, every batch of chicks I integrate gets pestered by one of the lowest ranked birds. I've never had to separate but I also tend to not interfere, as I expect the chicks to learn to run for safety and to stay away from the bully.

I've only integrated once before, but this seems excessive to me. Should I just let the chicks loose in the yard and hold my breathe?

I have a small pen I could put her in while the chicks learn their way around and know where the escape routes/hiding spots are . . . I don't know why I didn't think of this earlier . . . hindsight and all that, lol.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I've only integrated once before, but this seems excessive to me. Should I just let the chicks loose in the yard and hold my breathe?

I have a small pen I could put her in while the chicks learn their way around and know where the escape routes/hiding spots are . . . I don't know why I didn't think of this earlier . . . hindsight and all that, lol.

Did you expand from your original set up? Any photos of what it's currently like? How many feeders, how much clutter? 26 is a LOT of chicks and that certainly helps spread out any negative attention, but only if there's ample space for them to put distance between them and their attacker, or to find shelter.

Your idea about penning her while the chicks learn the ins and outs is a good start. I always train my chicks to use panic openings before I "let them loose" but after that yes it's up to them to learn to flee when needed, and that does mean they get chased and pecked at because that's how they learn. Obviously intervene if there's actual risk of injury, or she doesn't relent at all even when they run away at least 6' from her, but otherwise I stay out of it.

 

[redinator]

Obviously intervene if there's actual risk of injury, or she doesn't relent at all even when they run away at least 6' from her, but otherwise I stay out of it.

This is the issue with this particular pullet she doesn't just chase them off, she chases them down. Once the chicks are running and pleading for their little lives it gets the other pullets riled up and they'll be 2 or 3 older birds chasing them around.

I'll pen her for the next few days while the chicks learn their way around. Hopefully once the others are use to the chicks they won't join in when/if she starts chasing them.

 

[redinator]

Did you expand from your original set up? Any photos of what it's currently like? How many feeders, how much clutter?

The older chickens (10) have full access to the whole yard, and have decided to roost on some bars I put under the landing to our stairs. The chicks are in the 9x18 run until they're integrated and too big to get picked off by small hawks (they passed that mark a week or so ago). I'm in the process of putting together a second 10 x 25 ft run, but between the heat, downpours and trouble integrating it's been stalled.

A few of the chicks (or some of the older pullets, once the chicks are old enough to be 'with the males') will be getting sold then the remaining half will be split between myself and a friend. He can't have roosters so we're waiting long enough to be certain there aren't any late bloomers in the bunch.

 

[redinator]

The older chickens (10) have full access to the whole yard, and have decided to roost on some bars I put under the landing to our stairs. The chicks are in the 9x18 run until they're integrated and too big to get picked off by small hawks (they passed that mark a week or so ago). I'm in the process of putting together a second 10 x 25 ft run, but between the heat, downpours and trouble integrating it's been stalled.

A few of the chicks (or some of the older pullets, once the chicks are old enough to be 'with the males') will be getting sold then the remaining half will be split between myself and a friend. He can't have roosters so we're waiting long enough to be certain there aren't any late bloomers in the bunch.

I'm seriously considering selling the 5 RIR, but that would only leave three pullets of breeding age with my two males, so I'm waiting for the chicks (mostly pullets, only two obvious males so far) to get a bit older before I make any final decisions.