eggalp Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 my two old chicks and two new chicks have been free ranging in the garden together for just about 4 weeks now. They pretty much keep well apart and when their paths do cross the new ones get a bit of a beating from the older ones. i have spent the last four weeks from 5 till 8 after work sat on the bench with the hose at the ready. I have tried to get them to eat treats together but if the newbies go within a foot they are pecked, so much so that now they run a mile if they see an old hen coming! I am worried that the problem is getting worse, that there will be no end to this and that i will have to keep them in the rabbit hutch permenantly..............or am i worrying about nothing? I keep hoping they will just all go to bed together one night but i am not seeing any improvement so far. Is it possible i could be making things worse by giving them their treats seperately - i try to do this in secret but always get seen!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 It'll sort itself out, I know it's horrible to watch but you just need to let them get on with it and it eventually calms down. How old are they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggalp Posted April 22, 2009 Author Share Posted April 22, 2009 i really hope you are right....... my older birds are two this summer and my new girls are about 21 weeks - they're lovely! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 I introduce new girls from about 12 weeks onwards. I let them in with the big girls (all different ages) for a few hours a day to start with (they've all been able to see each other through the mesh since the young ones are 3 weeks old), but after a few days I just put them in and let them get on with it. The 1st week is horrible, 2nd week not so bad, and by the 3rd week things are settling down. I just make sure there are plenty of drinkers and feeders and if one of the older girls is giving a wee one a hard time she gets 'moved away' with the side of my foot . My 2 youngest girls at the moment are nearly a year old and still get a 'growl' from the older ones to remind them of their place, and they've just recently been allowed to feed at the mash feeder at the same time (I have one feeder of mash and 2 of pellets). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 You might need to go back a step in the introduction - did you do the thing of feeding treats at the 'perimeter', i.e. with one lot in the run and one lot outside, and scattering small treats like sweetcorn along the join? It's quite a good way to get them to eat closer together without feeling threatened. Are they sleeping together at night? It's natural that your bigger, older girls will probably be at the top of the pecking order, and it won't hurt the younger ones to get told off by them as long as there's no serious pecking going on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 I have done 2 lots of intros now and there has been, each time, a period when I thought it would never happen. It does and it will but it just takes time - the more time they spend near each other the better and everyone else's advice has been good. Sounds as though you are doing the right thing - and mine did just muddle into bed together one day....keep at it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 Now that they are used to free ranging together, I would encourage them to share treats. The job of merging them is well on th e way, so I'd grit your teeth and let them get on with it at this stage. Wade in with a broom if necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 I would definitely let them start sharing treats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
