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Newbie here! age differences

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Hello Everyone!

 

I have recently got 4 Chickens.. Two are 20 weeks old and two are 14 weeks. I put them in together and the the younger 2 got a bit beaten up and couldnt drink or feed and so I have seperated them but are next to each other.

 

when do you think it will be safe to put them together again.

 

Am I being to over protective of the Little ones??

 

This Chicken Keeping Lark is all consuming of your mind !!

 

Martin :?

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:D:D:D:D:D

 

Hi and welcome to the forum!

 

The bullying is all part of them sorting out the pecking order, and would happen even if they were all the same age - I had a similar introduction experience, with 2 much younger chicks to a pair of 21 week olds, and it sorted itself out pretty quickly.

 

It can be a bit upsetting to watch, but is perfectly normal, and should resolve itself pretty quickly., especially once you let them all out to freerange together. It gives the younger girls enough to space to tag along, without getting too close! Make sure, as well, that they are all put together to roost at night.

 

Good luck! :D

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howdy and welcome!

 

the ages are fine i think, it's just natural pecking order rows by the sounds. Not very nice to watch but a necessity. Hopefully it will settle down within a week.

 

if they are being stopped from eating and drinking, you could do what i did and put 2 sets of feeders and drinkers in, they have MORE of a chance of getting food undisturbed but will still get blocked a bit

 

what breeds do you have?

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Welcome to the forum.

 

If I were you, I would put them together sooner rather then later and let them sort it out between them (not everybody does it like this). I would only seperate them if they draw blood. Most of the time it does not take long for the pecking order to establish and things will then quieten down. Sometimes the pecking can look worse then it is. I would also put another bowl of water and food in, away from the other bowls so that the younger ones will have a chance. Also it might be worth giving them some treats in the afternoon, which will also distract them.

 

Good luck and let us know how you get on :wink:

 

Edit; as I take an age to type :roll: I have been beaten to it :roll:

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Thanks for the Replys

 

I was just worried that the 2 smaller ones where chased back into the coup and couldnt get out to Drink or eat

 

the breeds I have are

 

2x Bovan Goldline

1x Amber Star

1x Black star

 

the later of the 4 being the little ones

 

Martin

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If the younger two aren't getting a chance to eat or drink when they are all in together, then it may be worth popping a dish of water and some pellets in with them, so they keep their strength up.

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Thanks again

 

I will post some Pic's as I am letting them out tonight for the first time so can get some good Pic's of them.

 

Any advice for their first outing on my newly laid lawn! arrgghhhh!!

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Back again with another question.

 

Since they have been split up I have had the 2 younger ones roosting seperately. I assume this wasnt the wisest thing..when I put them all together tonight will they be ok to be in the same coup as the Big birds concidering they have spent 3 nights away from them?

 

Many thanks for the answers so far. :P

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they will just thrash out a pecking order Martin...it may not be pretty.....but it's the same for even a well established member thats removed for a few days, order always has to be re-established

 

doing it at dusk may be a good idea, as they're more docile at dusk anyway, just pop them all into the coop together

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Lawns and chickens don't mix. I am amazed how quickly they can destroy one! :lol: I was a terrible worrier about adding in a new chicken and in the end although there is some bullying it is settling down really quickly. We only worry because we care about them.

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:( When I got my new hen , Phoebe (who was previously as placid as anything) was a terrible bully - pulling her feathers out, and stopping her getting to the food etc. We divided the run with a grill, so they could see each other, but still separate, and at night put new hen in the eglu when Phoebe was asleep. This lasted a week, and since then they have ben fine. Although Phoebe still likes to keep Daphne in her place! I was ever so worried though, just like you!
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