Tara123 Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 My girls are fighting when it is treat time. The last 2 days have been really bad. Today the top dog got attacked by the last 2 in the pecking order and ever since has been running away from the lowest girl in the clan. We have introduced a new girl a couple of weeks ago but things seem to be getting really nasty now and it could be any of them attacking anyone. Twice I've witnessed 1 jumping on another's back while another hen grabs the back of the hen that is pinned down and pulls feathers out of its neck I knew the pecking order would be changed about since the new girl arrived and at first it just seemed like she was going to be number 2, but now there all fighting I'm going to lay of the treats for a few days, as at this time the fighting is particularly bad, but I don't know what else to do. Feeling very sad about it as they all seemed to be getting on great, Tara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucky1 Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 I must admit I am also looking to introduce a couple more chickens and I am not looking forward to it much. I have often read that mutual treat feeding is a good thing to do - which is what you are obviously doing. Other things that I have read is separate penning. Also I read in a book to spray ALL with a mild solution of water and vinegar - so that they all smell the same. This helps with the pecking order. Best of luck. I am sure they will sort themselves out in a few days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moochoo Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 Sorry to hear about the disharmony. I'm going through it at the moment too as I bought 2 new girls on Saturday.Even though it's not to horrendous as I'm free ranging mine all the time, I am finding that treat time is the worst. The new girls are getting attacked even though I feed them at opposite end of the garden! It's hard to watch but I know it's got to be done to create a new pecking order. I think you're right to hold back from the treats for a while and see if it improves. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 As you can see from my signature, I introduced a new girl when I had only had the others for 4 weeks. The 3 original girls turned really nasty and held Stella down, pulled feathers, and ate the feathers..... It went on for 8 days and I have to say I started to feel a bit cross with my previously lovely 3 hens. But now they are fine. However Stella is definately at the bottom of the pecking order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 It s never a good idea to introduce just one hen. If you add at least two, it "dilutes" the aggression. I would isolate the nastiest hen for a while and see if the others ccan establish a bond. Then the nasty one will come back in on a different footing and may well behave. Make sure that there are at least three feed and drink stations. They can't police them all, and it will give the underdog a chance to eat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tara123 Posted March 4, 2008 Author Share Posted March 4, 2008 I would isolate the nastiest hen for a while and see if the others ccan establish a bond. I introduced the new girl a couple of weeks ago after keeping her in a separate run and house for a week. They were side by side, so could see each other. When I did introduce her to the original clan there were a few scuffles between the top dog and the new girl but nothing to bad. Now its anyone going at anyone, so there's not one particular nasty hen. It just seems like the whole clan are starting again from scratch with the pecking order, I'm not even sure now who is top dog I just can't think what else to do, apart from stopping there treats, that can help the situation any more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...