jsbates65 Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 I have had a little silkie chicken (edith) for a few months now, and since I got her right before it turned cold and she was so little, she has lived in a large rabbit cage in the house during the winter. Now that it's warming up, I put her out in a large exercise dog pen so the girls can come see her. When I'm outside, I'll let her do her thing outside of the cage, and the other two usually stay away. But when they do come close the start beating up on her. I guess I'm worried because she is much smaller than Rosemary & Clarrise. Is the beating just going to happen if they are ever going to live together? Is there no way to avoid it? I also wonder if I allowed Edith to be too people-oriented too long before trying to introduce her to the chickens. Any advice? Maybe I just need to allow the peaking to a certain point, I always stop it immediately. . .so they never get past that. Sorry this was so long!! I think it's absurd that the girls get along with people, dogs, cats. . .but put a little chicken out there and they have a fit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 John I'm not familiar with Silkies. But when I put my new girl in with the three I'd had for only a few weeks, they still went through the pecking order business. It wasn't pretty but over after a week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 The "beating up" thing is part of the normal pecking order process. Just keep an eye on them and break it up if it gets too vicious (i.e. if it looks like your silkie might get seriously hurt rather than simply pecked a bit) - that's what the cockerel would do if you had one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 Introducing one hen to an established pair can be tricky John. Supervised free ranging and shared treats for a few weeks might be the best way forward, with you ready to wade in if necessary. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...