Well now what - introduction is over 🤷‍♀️

[BFRonaLyme]

Hello,

I have 4 (3 year old) hens and 3 new ones that I’m trying to add! Only one of the older ones seems to really go after the little ones. They are approx 13-15 weeks old. They have been slowly introduced - initially just outside in cage around the older ones, then moved into a separate run / coop area next to the big Coop. For the past 1-2 weeks I have let them free range with the older ones in the yard. With lots of room to run around, they seem fine. But at night when they’re going into the separate sections ~ when the older one gets closer she’ll chase them. I would like to put them together for winter so they can stay warm. But at this point, looks like I’ll need two coops….. Unless there’s a trick. We’re dropping into the 40’s next week and I can’t see them all getting together by then.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello,

I have 4 (3 year old) hens and 3 new ones that I’m trying to add! Only one of the older ones seems to really go after the little ones. They are approx 13-15 weeks old. They have been slowly introduced - initially just outside in cage around the older ones, then moved into a separate run / coop area next to the big Coop. For the past 1-2 weeks I have let them free range with the older ones in the yard. With lots of room to run around, they seem fine. But at night when they’re going into the separate sections ~ when the older one gets closer she’ll chase them. I would like to put them together for winter so they can stay warm. But at this point, looks like I’ll need two coops….. Unless there’s a trick. We’re dropping into the 40’s next week and I can’t see them all getting together by then.

Well, the good news is that they don't need each other to keep warm in the winter. They just need a DRY well ventilated coop and they will keep themselves warm.

It's only been a little while that they are comingling out of the coop. Give them more time and one day the littles will join the bigs on their own.