I have the weirdest group of poults. They were shipped with 15 chicks, which stayed in my brooder for several hours, then were picked up by the woman who split the order with me. When they left, everyone was eating great. Then the poults were by themselves for about 5 days. My chicks hatched when the poults were 4 days old. I thought the chicks were a bit too small to handle the poults, so I put up a temporary plastic mesh divider in the brooder. All the poults do is pace the divider and try to get through the mesh. Sometimes they do get over it. They barely eat. I've lost one already. I tried letting them in with the chicks, but they peck their feet and wings. The chicks were huddled in the corner trying to get away. Today, I put up cardboard to block their view of the chicks. They are still obsessed to some extent, but have actually calmed down somewhat. They still aren't eating like they were. I wrapped the bowls in tin foil to entice them over, but they are still more interested in the divider and the chicks that they hear. I may need to try putting them in a dog crate (where in my house that would be that the dogs can't get to, I have no idea) but they will need to be in with the chicks/chickens eventually. Any ideas? I have one more batch of chicks due. I have my first pip now. The older chicks are 7 days older and the poults are11 days older. Only 4 of these chicks are mine and only 7 of 17 of the older chicks are mine. All the rest will be leaving soon (I hope). I wasn't expecting the poults to arrive so early and the hatchery never notified me until they had already shipped, so the timing wasn't the best.
