Solitary chicken - need advice

[PaulH]

Hi all.

 

I've introduced a couple of chickens to my existing two. As a pair I thought things would be fairly routine..

My two new chickens are 16-20weeks but are of course considerably smaller than my other two. The older two are really bullying the new ones to the point where they launch themselves onto the top of the Eglu and sit there for a rest.

 

My questions are, will the taunting calm down? the older two keep chasing the new ones around the patch. It's not got to the point of blood being spilt, but I am a little worried. They older one's can't leave them alone, if they can get to them and chase them around again...

 

The first night in the same Eglu was fine after a while they all went in and to bed, but this morning it all kicked off again.

 

Thanks for any advice....

[Christian]

Hi Paul.

 

Don't worry it should settle down soon. Make sure you have a few food and water stations, so the new girls can eat and drink without being bullied. Try spraying all the hens with vinegar mixed with water tonight when they go to bed. It will make them all smell the same and might stop the bullying!

 

Hope harmony reigns soon

 

 

[PaulH]

Thanks for the tip about spraying, I will give it a go tonight.

I'm starting to get a bit worried as the older ones are really having a go, so for safeties sake I've kept them separate most of the day. A couple of times they've grabbed them and pulled feathers. I know there's no right answer, but how long before peace and harmony.

[Egluntyne]

To be honest I think the new girls are a little young to be in with the bigger girls.

Could you put them in separate accommodation for a week or two, but where they can still be seen and heard, and then try the intros again when the little ones have grown a bit.