I’m new here and have been searching for answers, but hopefully I can get some good advice for my specific age range and breeds.I hope it doesn’t sound jumbled I just want to add as much information as I can.
We have Orpingtons and Wyandottes mixed and full breed, 16 total. 10 from first hatching (4/3/23) and 6 from second hatching (5/7/23). 5 weeks apart in age. 3 roosters from the first round, 1 in the second. The roosters aren’t the problem- although we are taking them away from the hens soon.
We have all of the chickens in a coop with a large run sized for hopes of 2 dozen chickens.
We tried introducing the younger chicks a month ago and it didn’t work so we put them in the coop and used the see don’t touch method for a month. We’ve tried letting them mingle the last 2 days and 2-3 of the older hens will come and peck their beaks and pick up their wings and pull them around. The younger chicks run to hide their faces in the corner under some bricks. We have places set up for them to hide but they’ve been choosing that corner instead. They have their own food and own water away from the older ones. We sit out there and watch them every few hours and they’re just huddled in the corner. They were back separated at night last night, but I put them back together this morning. The older roosters will peck their backs a couple times but then walk away and leave it up the the Queen as we call her and her sisters.
The younger ones have peck marks on their beaks and they are so scared. They will be minding their own business and here comes the older hen to just attack them.
Should we just let them go and hope they work it out? What else can I do? Am I doing everything I can?
We have Orpingtons and Wyandottes mixed and full breed, 16 total. 10 from first hatching (4/3/23) and 6 from second hatching (5/7/23). 5 weeks apart in age. 3 roosters from the first round, 1 in the second. The roosters aren’t the problem- although we are taking them away from the hens soon.
We have all of the chickens in a coop with a large run sized for hopes of 2 dozen chickens.
We tried introducing the younger chicks a month ago and it didn’t work so we put them in the coop and used the see don’t touch method for a month. We’ve tried letting them mingle the last 2 days and 2-3 of the older hens will come and peck their beaks and pick up their wings and pull them around. The younger chicks run to hide their faces in the corner under some bricks. We have places set up for them to hide but they’ve been choosing that corner instead. They have their own food and own water away from the older ones. We sit out there and watch them every few hours and they’re just huddled in the corner. They were back separated at night last night, but I put them back together this morning. The older roosters will peck their backs a couple times but then walk away and leave it up the the Queen as we call her and her sisters.
The younger ones have peck marks on their beaks and they are so scared. They will be minding their own business and here comes the older hen to just attack them.
Should we just let them go and hope they work it out? What else can I do? Am I doing everything I can?
