Adventures with Chicks (pt. 9)

Instead of waiting a whole week before letting them out with the girls, I decided to only wait 5 days based on the behaviour of the chicks and the established flock. There didn't seem to be any sort of animosity in the group, so I let them out after spreading out a whole box full of produce goodies for them. I made sure to scatter across the whole run so everyone could snack without being forced near the other chickens, then I put the chicks in.

There were squabbles, but nothing constant. Most of the time the hens were just wanting to eat. Sometimes even eating near the chicks. Occasionally a charge at the chicks, but not a full-on attack.



There have been a few times when the hens attacked a chick, pulling a feather out here or there, but that was it. They didn't carry on, it was always a quick squabble. This is quite the opposite of when we introduced our roo to them, as they would corner him and just pick on him constantly until I intervened. This is just attempts to establish pecking order.

I can't tell you how much of a relief it was to see them react this way! The new girls stick to their little group, but the rooster is the one that was nice to them straight away. He would even break up a pecking-order squabble from time to time.

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