Raising chickens 3 weeks apart.

[LBRNRS]

I bought 14 chickens (well, 2 so far are roosters, 1 I already got rid of) ...... and then 3 weeks later I got 10 more chicks. I have kept them separated ~ at 1 week I removed the boards so they could see each other through the wire, and then at 3 weeks allowed them to totally intermingle with the bigger chicks. So the problem is ..... (well, it may not be a problem, but it is to me! LOL) That 1) the babies don't want to go outside at all (when he big chicks are out there), and when the big girls were only 3 weeks ..... they LOVED going out ...... and 2) when the babies are around the bigger girls ....... the bigger girls kind of chase them away, and try to peck at them. Its not terrible, but it really bothers me. Is this just a hens life? Or do I have something to be worried about? Is this the pecking order they speak of? When I go to open the hatch in the morning now, the hens (now 7 weeks) are all roosting and the babies (now 4 weeks) are all huddled in a corner. But they do love to roost when the big girls are outside ........ thoughts?? Thanks!

 

[Fierlin1182]

It's very normal, as you mentioned because of the pecking order, for the younger chickens to be a little intimidated by the older ones. Sounds like you did everything right, with the separation period. You probably don't need to worry about a little pecking, that's just what happens.

However, you can provide multiple roosts, maybe even on different levels, and hopefully that should help. If they're being chased away, perhaps a few different food and water stations would mean everyone has somewhere to go.

Good luck.