Puting new birds in with the old flock...Help

[brianschickens]

Hello,
Since I bought them as chicks I have been preparing for this day. Since day one I had their coop next to the old birds so they could see each other everyday. Then the last two weeks I put their coops side by side so they could peck each other and get it out of their system. Today I let them free range and was hoping to move them in together but that didn't work. The older three continued to violently peck the little ones and even chase them. My coop is "caged" their is a big run but it is caged. If they cant make it free rangning together how can they possibly made it in the coop and run together? Tips,suggestions very welcome
thanks
By the way the chicks are 18 weeks and the hens are like a year old

 

[bobbi-j]

I think that no matter how long you have them side by side, once you have them together they still need to establish their pecking order. Make sure the little ones have a place to get away from the big ones, make sure there are separate feeders and waterers so the little ones can eat. Unless there are injuries with blood, I'd let them work it out. Every time you separate them, the process has to start all over again when you put them back together.

 

[brianschickens]

I think that no matter how long you have them side by side, once you have them together they still need to establish their pecking order. Make sure the little ones have a place to get away from the big ones, make sure there are separate feeders and waterers so the little ones can eat. Unless there are injuries with blood, I'd let them work it out. Every time you separate them, the process has to start all over again when you put them back together. 

. How much room? How's much square footage? Their run is pretty big but the problem is the big ones chase them even when they run away and that was free ranging. I'm just afraid if I put them in the coop they will hurt very badly or kill one of the little ones. And free ranging isn't an option with all the hawks and Animals. I can only let them free range for limited amounts of time when in watching.
Thanks

 

[bobbi-j]

I'll have to admit, I've never been good at the "square footage per bird" thing. I watch my chickens. If they're getting along fine, not pecking at each other, or showing any other behaviors that come with overcrowding, I don't worry about it. Mine primarily free range, too, even with the potential for predators (Let's face it - predators are everywhere - it's a personal choice whether one wants to free range and take chances or not.) Can you make some little hiding places for your young ones? Prop pallets up in the run, make a space divided by wire they can get through but not the big ones? Maybe wait until the young ones are a bit bigger? Even then the old ones will chase and peck, but the little ones might be able to handle it better.

 

[brianschickens]

As far as free ranging I live in a town and don't have a farm which is a problem. The run is very big and the coop is a lifetime shed. I don't think it's overcrowded it's just that the older hens chase them and don't leave them alone. As far as pallets good idea but I don't have any of that. And as for wiring it wouldn't work with the layout

I'll have to admit, I've never been good at the "square footage per bird" thing. I watch my chickens. If they're getting along fine, not pecking at each other, or showing any other behaviors that come with overcrowding, I don't worry about it. Mine primarily free range, too, even with the potential for predators (Let's face it - predators are everywhere - it's a personal choice whether one wants to free range and take chances or not.) Can you make some little hiding places for your young ones? Prop pallets up in the run, make a space divided by wire they can get through but not the big ones? Maybe wait until the young ones are a bit bigger? Even then the old ones will chase and peck, but the little ones might be able to handle it better. 

 

[bobbi-j]

Well then, it seems you don't have many other options. Let them work it out, keep them separate for a bit longer then let them work it out, keep them separate forever, or get rid of one age group. Or, you can get creative and figure out how to make hiding places for your younger birds. It's hard to help without any other information like how big your coop and run are. Some people think 10'x10' feet is "really big" but it's hardly adequate (in my opinion, anyway) for more than half a dozen chickens. Others will disagree, but I tend to think more space is better. I have no idea how big a "lifetime shed" is, either. How many little ones are you trying to introduce? The pallets and fencing were merely suggestions. If you really want this to work out, I'm sure you will come up with something that will work. Good luck.

 

[cafarmgirl]

In my experience the older birds are always the most territorial about their coop and allowing new birds to come in and roost, it can just take a long time for things to settle down.

As mentioned, space is of utmost importance when integrating new birds into a flock. How many birds do you have and what are the measurements of your coop and run?

 

[brianschickens]

I

In my experience the older birds are always the most territorial about their coop and allowing new birds to come in and roost, it can just take a long time for things to settle down.   

As mentioned, space is of utmost importance when integrating new birds into a flock.  How many birds do you have and what are the measurements of your coop and run? 

I have six. Coop is 8x7.5. Run is about 20 long 7 wide

 

[brianschickens]

3 small ones and 3 big ones

 

[cafarmgirl]

Your coop/run are big enough, once they are getting along lol! But until then you'll need to add places for the youngsters to hide. If you don't have any other options then you might have to try just letting them work it out. You'll just have to watch closely at first and make sure things don't get out of hand.

Something else you can try is to put the young birds in the coop with the lowest ranking older bird and keep the other two out. Once that's going ok for a couple days then add the next bird and finally the top ranking bird. It would take some time and effort but might be easier on the young ones.

Have patience, integration is often hard in small flocks and can take a long time.