I think you can see my setup from my articles linked in my profile.
I got three new chicks at 5 weeks, and kept them in a separate coop/enclosure for 4 weeks, about 10 feet away from the main structure, but within eyesight.
I'm having trouble getting my old chicken (almost 6 years old) to accept the three newcomers to the coop & enclosure. I added the chicks at 9 weeks, and added a chicken wire barrier in the run so they'd have a place to escape if the older one was too aggressive. It's now 3 weeks later, the younger ones are 12 weeks, and there has yet to be a thaw in relations. (Picture West Berlin surrounded by East Germany, and the older chicken has her eyes on Checkpoint Charlie and comes running the moment the intruders try to leave their little spot). After the old bird goes up into the coop to roost for the evening, they come out and roost on a bar that's in the enclosed run. Sometimes before the older bird is settled, she'll come back out into the run the hassle them one last time. They are absolutely terrified of her.
Currently the younger ones have their own food & water. I have seen them come out and eat from the main water system & main feeder when the older bird is out of sight. Should I remove their own feeder to force them to be braver? The feeder they have is a self made one that leads to a lot of scattered feed and waste. I'd rather they have to come out when they are hungry. Am I rushing things? Will they starve because they are terrified to come out?
It was bad timing that I had to introduce the new birds to a single existing one. I did have two full grown hens, but when I was just about to add the new pullets, my 3 year old hen got sick. I ended up swapping the 3 young hens into the main coop/enclosure, and putting the ill one into the temporary enclosure. A week later we ended up putting her down.
I got three new chicks at 5 weeks, and kept them in a separate coop/enclosure for 4 weeks, about 10 feet away from the main structure, but within eyesight.
I'm having trouble getting my old chicken (almost 6 years old) to accept the three newcomers to the coop & enclosure. I added the chicks at 9 weeks, and added a chicken wire barrier in the run so they'd have a place to escape if the older one was too aggressive. It's now 3 weeks later, the younger ones are 12 weeks, and there has yet to be a thaw in relations. (Picture West Berlin surrounded by East Germany, and the older chicken has her eyes on Checkpoint Charlie and comes running the moment the intruders try to leave their little spot). After the old bird goes up into the coop to roost for the evening, they come out and roost on a bar that's in the enclosed run. Sometimes before the older bird is settled, she'll come back out into the run the hassle them one last time. They are absolutely terrified of her.
Currently the younger ones have their own food & water. I have seen them come out and eat from the main water system & main feeder when the older bird is out of sight. Should I remove their own feeder to force them to be braver? The feeder they have is a self made one that leads to a lot of scattered feed and waste. I'd rather they have to come out when they are hungry. Am I rushing things? Will they starve because they are terrified to come out?
It was bad timing that I had to introduce the new birds to a single existing one. I did have two full grown hens, but when I was just about to add the new pullets, my 3 year old hen got sick. I ended up swapping the 3 young hens into the main coop/enclosure, and putting the ill one into the temporary enclosure. A week later we ended up putting her down.
. The only thing I don't like about getting all the same is that I can't tell them apart. They're a great breed, and I was able to pick out the darkest ones (5.5 weeks old) to minimize chances of getting a roo. After I picked them out, I found out that the family I got them from will take back males. Maybe next time I'll be braver and get a Wyandotte and/or Speckled Sussex.
