Two Splash Ameraucanas Being Attacked

[Teenybeeny]

Hello again..... Geesh, this chicken business can be rough!

So, we have 7 chicks that we put in the outside coop and run last Sunday. 2 Buff Orpingtons and a Starlight Egger that are 8 1/2 weeks old, 2 Barred Rocks that are 7 1/2 weeks old, a Calico Princess and an Easter Egger that are 6 1/2 weeks old. Today, we brought out the younger batch chicks to enjoy the outside weather. 2 Splash Ameraucanas that are 6 weeks old, 2 Majesty Marans, Starlight Egger, and an Easter Egger that are about 5 weeks old. Well.... things didn’t go well..... The Orpingtons and the Calico Princess immediately went after the Ameraucanas. When one of the older chicks went after an Ameraucana, the whole group attacked. The other younger chicks would get pecked from time to time, but nothing out of the ordinary. The bigger of the Ameraucanas took the brunt of it. She got ganged up on so fast, I didn’t even see it coming. The bigger girls literally cornered her in the run and were pecking her all over and pulling her feathers by the time I reached them. Then the bigger girls started on the smaller of the Ameraucanas. It was just crazy. We left the younger chicks in the run for about two hours, but keeping a close eye on them. All of the chicks would run around chasing each other and snacking on their fruit and scratch, and then all of a sudden, another attack would occur. We finally pulled all the younger chicks out and put them back inside since they were getting cold and exhausted.

I’m wondering if because the Ameraucanas are very white with some gray and tan, that’s what’s causing them to get attacked. But we have quite a mixture going on, so I wouldn’t think their coloring would be the reason. All of the chicks have been around one another from when they were in the brooder. We had two areas. But they could see each other. The Ameraucanas would get into the big girls brooder from time to time, and they were immediately attacked there as well.

I’m just not sure what to do. Is this normal and they’ll all acclimate to each other or is this a big concern? Anyone have this issue and have a solution? Any help is greatly appreciated. I’m just stumped on what to do. Thank you!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Did the older birds and younger ones grow up together, or was this their first time seeing each other?

Even if they grew up in sight of one another/in the same brooder, they were separated for a week, correct? So they may not recognize each other any longer and the younger birds are now seen as intruders, and you'll need to reintegrate.

Any photos of your set up? Having a lot of clutter may help to give the younger birds some hiding spots for relief.

 

[Teenybeeny]

Well the problem is, even when they were in the brooder, these two Ameraucanas would get attacked when they would fly out of their side into the older chicks side. It’s only them that are attacked. Today, the Ameraucanas were attacked, but the other four younger ones were pretty much left alone. I just don’t know why only these two are the only ones that the older girls are overly aggressive to. I can get pics tomorrow of my setup.

I’ve attached a pic of the Ameraucanas.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Hmm, hard to say. Maybe just something about the coloration, like you mentioned, or their demeanor, the others just don't like.