DuckDuckSook
Songster
Hello Friends!
So I just posted a rather long post about how my integration process is going with four 7 week old chicks and three 4.5 month old hens. So far, so good, I guess. As noted in that post, the chicks stay to one side of the run and the hens stay to other. The hens will chase the chicks back to their side if they venture too far into their perceived "territory." My question is this: what are the chances of them fully integrating vs. co-existing as two mini flocks? I have a feeling that they might just be two groups that tolerate each other and live amongst each other, but never fully integrate. Is that a thing? Each sub flock seems to have its own pecking order with a leader. Will that be the way it goes or will they all duke it out and each find their own space in one larger group? As long as everyone is getting along and no one is getting bullied or hurt, I don't mind. Just thought I'd see what others may have experienced. I suppose only time will tell...
So I just posted a rather long post about how my integration process is going with four 7 week old chicks and three 4.5 month old hens. So far, so good, I guess. As noted in that post, the chicks stay to one side of the run and the hens stay to other. The hens will chase the chicks back to their side if they venture too far into their perceived "territory." My question is this: what are the chances of them fully integrating vs. co-existing as two mini flocks? I have a feeling that they might just be two groups that tolerate each other and live amongst each other, but never fully integrate. Is that a thing? Each sub flock seems to have its own pecking order with a leader. Will that be the way it goes or will they all duke it out and each find their own space in one larger group? As long as everyone is getting along and no one is getting bullied or hurt, I don't mind. Just thought I'd see what others may have experienced. I suppose only time will tell...