Trouble mixing 13 weeks old chicks with adults - any advice?

[Wissa38]

Hi,

We have 2 adult wyndottes and 3 buff orpington chicks (roughly 13 weeks). We raised the chicks in a brooder inside, then transferred them to their own pen in the adult chicks yard about 4 weeks ago. The chicks pen is covered in hardware cloth so the girls could all see each other and get used to each other.

Today we let the chickens mix, and it didn't seem to go well. That, or I'm an overly protective mother. I basically opened the door and let the chicks mix with the older chickens in the large outdoor yard. The older chickens looked over the chicks for a couple of minutes then proceeded to harass them to no end. The older girls would chase the chicks till they cut one off from the other two then peck at it. A bit more brutal than I expected. They got a shot in at one chicks beak and it started to bleed. I cleaned it out and covered it with a backing soda paste, and she's fine, but I ended up sitting in the chicken area in my lawn chair acting as referee.

I mixed them during the day, though I've read about others mixing them at night when everyone's sleepy. I fear doing that and having the adults wake up and beat up the younger ones.

Am I too protective? At 13 weeks can the older chickens kill the younger ones? Should I just mix them and understand that the younger chicks are going to get the snot beat out of them?

I'd love some advice on this. I intend to try mixing them again tomorrow while I'm out in the yard to see how it goes. I'm not going to mix them tonight. I'm just not that brave.

Kristen
chicken owner newbie

 

[jen85]

I usually do the same thing as you, but I let the adults run in the yard while the little ones come out and get used to the run and find good hiding places lol. I have Cochins so everyone has been nice so far and I've done it at least 10 times.... I have too many chickens now! The big roosters will chase the younger roosters, and momma hens are mean if anyone gets close. Are you able to let them out of the run? Maybe gave them veggies or something to keep them distracted for awhile?

 

[chickenteacher2]

My 2 cochins are 13 weeks also....I've been letting them out for minutes at a time to get them used to our yard, but my rooster gets very excited and chases them. He pulled feathers once. Then, today, my RIR adults came over (they are twice their size) and I couldn't bear it. So, I put them away again. But, they'll need to be out soon, so they can practice their egg laying. My other hatchers are 9/8 weeks old. They are still peeping, so they stay in the baby run. (although they'd LOVE to come out). I'm not completely comfortable letting them out with our raven problem, so I gotta take care of that issue first. It's hard to see the babies suffer.

 

[chickenteacher2]

Let the big girls out for their entire first day and I'm going to leave them.

 

[Wissa38]

We've taken to letting the 2 adults roam the yard while we let the 3 babies have the enclosed chicken run area. Then once the adults are good and tired we let them back into the run. We don't get as much chasing of the chicks, but it still happens.

We've hung a cabbage in the run to give them some distraction. We've also tried zuchini, scratch, and other veggies to give them something to do while their mixed. Honestly, the Golden Laced Wyandotte is actually fairly ok when it's just she and the chicks. My Silver Laced Wyandotte is a meanie! She will actively go after the chicks, chase them, and pull feathers.

I'm hoping that mixing them together little by little until the chicks get bigger will work. We'll see.

Thanks for all the advice!

 

[RonC]

Sounds like slowly letting them mingle a little at a time may be the best plan for you.

 

[chickenteacher2]

They've been doing great. The sisters just keep together and dodge the ol' crusty RIRs and the pervy rooster. All's well. They sleep on top of the baby run (a 6 foot tall run). I can't wait until they start laying eggs.