Trying to create a flock between different ages

[goodwiab]

Hello!

I have three 6.5 week old Japanese bantams and three 3.5 week old leghorns. I am trying to put them all in the coop when the leghorns are ready, so that they all get along and go into a new environment same time. It helps that right now, the bantams are about the same size as the leghorns.

I have been placing them together for weeks now, with minimal trouble. However, I am brand new to chicken ownership, and not sure how far pecking order goes? Aka, how aggressive is too aggressive? My lead hen right now is one of the bantams (that I'm honestly wondering if it's a rooster and monitoring...so far no crowing or anything yet though just red waddles and a bit of a red comb). She will allow the leg horns to roam about the enclosure (I've been putting them in the run together so far that's built and secure) ok, but if they get too close or if they try to eat when she and the other bantams are she goes after them. By this, I mean she chases them and/or pecks and pulls out baby feathers by their neck. As long as they are for the most part in separate areas, they're all ok. The other two bantams don't mind the leg horns at all and will go right up to them.

My question is, how far is too far (with the bantam bully)? Am I doing it right? I know it can take some time, but I'm honestly getting nervous especially considering the leghorns will be twice the size of the Bantams soon. I just want harmony among them.

Sorry for the novel, bless y'all for reading it and THANK YOU

 

[rosemarythyme]

How aggressive is too aggressive? If injury is being caused, it's too aggressive. Your head honcho is being a bit aggressive, but if she doesn't continue to attack once she's made her point ("my space/my food, everyone else out!"), then IMO she's being reasonable enough.

Don't be surprised if things continue to fluctuate over the upcoming weeks. All these birds are still quite young so their pecking order is nowhere near set yet.

 

[333113]

I don't ever mix bantams and full-size chickens. So many things can go wrong, even if they don't intend it.

 

[TheRealCliffordWilliams]

I think because you're introducing them at such an early age it should be fine. If feeding time is aggravating for them, put separate food dishes in separate corners, a chicken wire partition or even pile of bedding between them may let each group eat in peace. It is of course important that the birds have enough room to escape an aggressor and get to a comfortable place.

I have different aged chicks / chickens / duck / turkeys and they definitely peck at each other to figure out who's boss. My rule of thumb is, if a bird is pecking another one and it can't get up and the bird doesn't stop pecking, that's too much. That has only happened a couple times with the duck (jerk), who gets a time out and then put in his pond and behaves himself after that.

And yes, as they grow the pecking order may change which may be confusing for the birds. However, I had a rhode island red who wouldn't take any guff from any turkey or duck no matter how big!

Whenever I introduce birds I put them outside in a pen together during the daytime for a couple days prior to putting them in the same coop. This lets them work out their dominance issues in a less intense setting than inside their home, with a little supervision from myself.

As long as the bottom chickens learn their lesson and have enough space to be comfortable for a majority of their day I think you'll be fine!