Integrating Two Broods of chicks and to coop with older hens

[bwood002]

Integration Update:
larger, older flock came over to the small flock side and pushed all the littles to the corner. As shown in photo.
We gave them a larger outdoor area and put them outside together on nice days. And they really hang out in their own flocks. Big ones pick on the young ones but no aggression, just pecking.

Tonight we left the door open and both went to their respective sides to roost. We will see how it goes in the morning.

It is interesting...all the bantering. I wonder how long it will be for them to get used to each other.

 

[bwood002]

this morning, two of the ones from the older flock are more aggressively chasing the younger ones away from food and water, even though there are two sets of food/waterers. They resort to feather picking, chasing and flocking at them, consistently. None of the little ones stand up to them at all.

I don't mind letting them work out a pecking order on their own. however, I also don't want to cause more stress to the smaller ones, if it is going to continue.

Just wondering if we should keep them separated when inside and integrate only in the outside area while they get more used to each other. It's definitely more 'neutral' ground and there is more space outside. And though it still happens there, its definitely not as bad.
any thoughts or suggestions?
Is it normal for them to bully to this extent? or, is it simply because there is not enough space inside the temporary indoor shelter for them to peacefully exist? Does this usually resolve with time? Or, does it create a habitual bullying without a possible intervention? (is it better to keep them divided inside longer or until moving all to the larger coop).
Never done this before and so in need of some opinions.

 

[PoppasGrill]

this morning, two of the ones from the older flock are more aggressively chasing the younger ones away from food and water, even though there are two sets of food/waterers. They resort to feather picking, chasing and flocking at them, consistently. None of the little ones stand up to them at all.

I don't mind letting them work out a pecking order on their own. however, I also don't want to cause more stress to the smaller ones, if it is going to continue.

Just wondering if we should keep them separated when inside and integrate only in the outside area while they get more used to each other. It's definitely more 'neutral' ground and there is more space outside. And though it still happens there, its definitely not as bad.
any thoughts or suggestions?
Is it normal for them to bully to this extent? or, is it simply because there is not enough space inside the temporary indoor shelter for them to peacefully exist? Does this usually resolve with time? Or, does it create a habitual bullying without a possible intervention? (is it better to keep them divided inside longer or until moving all to the larger coop).
Never done this before and so in need of some opinions.

We free range as much as possible, and have several separated coops that different generations call home.
Each group goes back to their respective homes each night on their own, although when coops are open to free range there is a lot of exploring each other’s home. This does lead to big uns chasing the smaller out of their homes for the free time, especially the guinnea hens as they are real aggressive towards any hen. At the end of the day the big uns go back to their coop and the littler ones roost where they are supposed to be.
There are mean older hens, but the youngers learn to avoid them, also they will free range in a different part of the pasture as a group unless we walk out with scraps, then everyone bunches up.
Only a few have had noticeable anxiety when the biggers are near, but they know they can get away to another area if needed.

 

[bwood002]

We free range as much as possible, and have several separated coops that different generations call home.
Each group goes back to their respective homes each night on their own, although when coops are open to free range there is a lot of exploring each other’s home. This does lead to big uns chasing the smaller out of their homes for the free time, especially the guinnea hens as they are real aggressive towards any hen. At the end of the day the big uns go back to their coop and the littler ones roost where they are supposed to be.
There are mean older hens, but the youngers learn to avoid them, also they will free range in a different part of the pasture as a group unless we walk out with scraps, then everyone bunches up.
Only a few have had noticeable anxiety when the biggers are near, but they know they can get away to another area if needed.

Thank you for the feedback!
The aggression isn't too bad. Just concerned about the younger ones being able to eat and drink since there are two of the older ones that will chase them away from access if they see them partaking. I think we will probably just leave the divider door open for a couple hours during the day and close it the rest of the time so the little ones will be able to eat and even rest.
The behavior doesn't seem to be out of the norm from what I've been reading in here. I'm thinking there just isn't enough space for all of them and it causes more enhanced behavior than when they are all outside with more space. The bigger issue is probably trying to brood two flocks over fall/winter months when they can't be outside as often due to the weather!

 

[Littleedensilkies]

Hey
I've always integrated chicks and broody mum from day 1, they get accepted into the flock quicker that way. I did have one very mean bantam though who would pick and even kill a chick that came near her. It was very strange but none of my other chickens were like that.

 

[bwood002]

We free range as much as possible, and have several separated coops that different generations call home.
Each group goes back to their respective homes each night on their own, although when coops are open to free range there is a lot of exploring each other’s home. This does lead to big uns chasing the smaller out of their homes for the free time, especially the guinnea hens as they are real aggressive towards any hen. At the end of the day the big uns go back to their coop and the littler ones roost where they are supposed to be.
There are mean older hens, but the youngers learn to avoid them, also they will free range in a different part of the pasture as a group unless we walk out with scraps, then everyone bunches up.
Only a few have had noticeable anxiety when the biggers are near, but they know they can get away to another area if needed.

I ended up putting the older pullets outside with our three adult hens and it went pretty great! Gave the younger pullets a break and the older ones were mostly put in their place by the hens. A couple more weeks and we will likely just move them all out to the big coop together.
Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Iluveggers]

When I integrate younger pullets w an existing flock, I add like 5-6 feed areas, usually old Chinese food plastic containers that I can toss if they get broke or ruined. I spread them as far out from each other as I can, behind things. That way it becomes really difficult to chase them away from all of them…they may stay at one until chased, then hop to another, etc. Eventually I remove them.

It’s funny, we added 6 new chickens to the flock last year, and someone gave me a ceramic dog bowl…the newest always gravitated to that “feeder” so far as I keep it there along with the two regular feeders…they still always eat out of that one almost a year later!