Random behaviour change

[Kitsune_Kitten]

What do you mean by a "warm cage"?
Integration can be tricky.
Sounds like you have group of older birds out in the coop.
This single 2mo bird in the house.
And a group of younger birds in the house.

How old are the younger birds?

Might be best to integrate the single with the youngers,
then integrate all of them with the olders in the coop.



Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

Ah thanks, the 2 younger ones are a few weeks old, and then there is Tortilla who is 2 months and they are all together in the garage, so not to stink out the house. The rest are around 4 months except for the ones who lay eggs who are around 2 years old. By warm cage, I mean that I was thinking of keeping Tortilla in her own cage for a while, outside the run that we keep the middle-aged chickens so that they can get used to each other. She would probably have the heating plate that we use for the young ones as she is alone.

Also thanks for all the advice, I can send you photos of the youngest ones who live with Tortilla if it helps?

 

[aart]

Are the 4mo's living with the older layers?

Pics of coop and run would help here.
Just post them here in the thread.

Oh, and.... Welcome to BYC! @Kitsune_Kitten
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[Kitsune_Kitten]

Are the 4mo's living with the older layers?

Pics of coop and run would help here.
Just post them here in the thread.

Oh, and.... Welcome to BYC! @Kitsune_Kitten
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 2499453

Here are some photos, they are both made here in our backyard so any advice is greatly appreciated. The chickens which lay the eggs are in the bigger coop with the flowers and a 3-4 month-old ones are in the one with the white roof.

I think they all gathered up because it's feeding time