I lost over half of my chickens to a racoon

[independent]

Originally Posted by Summerthyme

I'd try "forcing" the older hens to accept the middle group... at 5 months they're pretty well full grown and will be laying soon if they aren't already. If you have a way to shut up the coop so the 5 month old pullets aren't left out in danger of predation at night they'll eventually blend in and be allowed to roost, etc. They'll figure it out pretty quickly. The younger ones then can have their own space until they reach laying age in 3-4 months.

4 year old hens are little more than pets- not that they won't lay some eggs, but almost certainly with the price of feed, not enough to pay the feed bill. I'd be planning chicken stew and soup, personally... as soon as the "middle" group of pullets get established laying eggs. Or ARE the older ones pets?

Summerthyme

S.T., they still lay eggs,but it's definitely slowed down from their younger years. They kind of are are like pets to us,since they are the last 3 of our original 12 hens, but if they won't be good patrons to my younger hens, then I will not hesitate to do what I have to do. Thanks for your advise.It is always appreciated.

[Summerthyme]

Well... they WILL eventually learn to get along. I've never seen hens NOT eventually adapt... and as long as the "younger" group are nearly full grown, there shouldn't be any major damage to any of them, either.

The only time I've had a major problem was integrating a broody hen and her half-grown clutch... the older birds literally would NOT let them eat... they got down to skin and bones before I realized how bad it was. I ended up placing multiple feeders and waterers- the older birds couldn't guard them all at once!- and saved them. But these were probably 7 weeks... not "babies" so the mother had stopped protecting them, but not large enough to stand up for themselves.

Summerthyme