4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[englishchick]

We just got our chickens today.

 

We know about the pecking order and about not interefering with it but we're afraid they're getting a bit rough! Three of our normal brown chickens are ganging up on one of our smaller chickens and they really have something against her!

 

What if they are really being too rough?

Edited April 12, 2008 by Guest

[englishchick]

The small chicken has now buried it's head under the water tray!

 

It's really worrying us! please help!

[chickenlass]

Sorry your having such problems...I'm sure someone with more knowledge will be along shortly to help you...meanwhile can you Isolate you new chickens form the others anywhere. I know you are supposed to introduce them through sire mesh or netting for a few days. Did you put them in together straight away?

[englishchick]

They're all new chickens, are you still meant to introduce them separatly?

 

It's just the one thats being poicked on is much smaller than the brownies.

[Faye&Ant]

Maybe you should try and keep them seperated for a bit if its getting nasty. Is it all 3 against 1 and are they all the same breed?

 

They will calm down in time im sure of it, they are in a strange environment and it can be a stressful time for all of them until they get established.

 

You could trying introducing them slowly for say just an hour a day to start off with?

 

We had a similar problem when we put a new girl in and so we kept her seperate for a few nights and let them free range together during the day. Eventually it just sorted itself out without any of them getting hurt.

 

I would only worry if it distressing her too much. Sorry I couldnt be more help x

[englishchick]

Called Breeder, advised we put a piece of slate up for it to hide behind and if the bullying continues until evening to bring the poor thing back.

[cluckbok]

Hi there,

 

Are they drawing blood? and feather pulling or is it just pecking they doing to her?

 

We did have a few days of that and you do just have to ride it out. Surely if you take the other one back then the pecking order starts again and one of the others will be getting it anyway? I know you can get a spray to spray the one being picked on so that they taste nasty and shouldn't then be pecked or even bumper bits, trouble is it's still early days. If it really is that bad then maybe take her back to the breeder, but you will have to watch what the others do. Hopefully they should all settle down in a few days.

[Egluntyne]

Why not try distracting them with a few treats....sweetcorn etc.

 

It might be a good idea to set up a few more food and drink stations as food issues can sometimes be a problem and that way they can't gang up and prevent her from eating.

 

Why not have the hose pipe or a water pistol primed and give them a cold shock every time they are nasty to her. That often works well.

 

Good luck.

[meezers]

I'm fairly new to all this as well, so am only repeating what I've been told. You say it's the 'normal brown hens' against the little one, is the picked on one a different breed / colour to the others ?

When we went to choose ours, the breeder told us it was fine to have one of each breed, or 3 of one and 3 of another, but NOT to get 5 of one sort and one of a different breed, cos they would all pick on it, even though they were all from the same place.

If this is the case, maybe you should take it back.

[chickenlass]

They're all new chickens, are you still meant to introduce them separatly?

 

It's just the one thats being poicked on is much smaller than the brownies.

Sorry ...I misread your post and thought that you were trying to introduce chickens to an existing flock.....hope some of the advice given by the others works. Must be upsetting to watch.

[Hen Watch]

Hopefully they are just sorting out the pecking order as they've all just arrived today. It isn't nice to watch.

 

I had a new one who did the same, she crawled under the grub or the glug feeders and she will go down in a submissive pose as well. It did all sort itself out in the end.

 

If it gets really nasty then perhaps separate them (I put one in my children's wendy house for a day) and as Egluntine says, more than 1 feeding bowl.

 

Hope it sorts itself out soon.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Sorry I can't really offer any advice on top of that given. Just wanted to say sorry you're having a tough time so soon after getting your girls. I hope it settles down soon - once they are friends it will be great fun having them around, I promise .