NClaire Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 I've had my new hens for 2 weeks + now, 1st week they lived in the run, with Dopey in the rabbit hutch looking at them, 2nd week they lived in a divided run, happy to eat next to each other etc, but split by canes. I can put this divide back if necessary. SO - have just removed the barrier, after some flapping and a few feathers flying, new girls have sought sanctuary in the house, Dopey is in the run. What I need to know is how much of the chasing/grabbing feathers is normal, and what point needs intervention? Plenty of eating/drinking points round the run, new girls must be about 22 weeks by now, both of them are bigger than Dopey, though not laying yet. What do I need to watch out for? I'm sure some of the flapping/pecking is normal, the new girls just run away from Dopey. I unfortunately can't let them out to free range together, as the fences are all down, and dh is breaking concrete(!). Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 When I have taken the final barriers down so to speak, there has usually been half an hour of grandstanding, usually just from a couple of hens, hackles raised, the odd lunge etc. I have hovvered, broom in hand and have stopped anything in is tracks, making the aggressor submit to me by getting it to crouch, and they have all then just got on with it. Within a couple of days they have been on completely friendly terms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NClaire Posted July 17, 2008 Author Share Posted July 17, 2008 Hmm - I have been a wimp and put the barrier back - Dopey was just being TOO mean - terrorising the other 2, forcing them into the house, then kicking them out again, feathers were flying. After 2 hours it was no better, and I had to go out, so put the canes back in. I think I am going to get dh to make a little temporary house for Dopey to put on her end, and then they can just live in a split run until we get our garden sorted - I think the problem is they are in a confined run, in the garden it would be much easier for them to get used to each other. And I can't take the stress of the fights! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 They can look pretty scary, Especially when the hackles are raised and the are on tip toe. Much of it is grandstanding and ritual though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NClaire Posted July 17, 2008 Author Share Posted July 17, 2008 They weren't really doing that - Dopey was just launching herself at the newbies, and grabbing onto whatever feathers she could get hold of - neck, wing, tail. Dh is happy to make Dopey a little house to go on her end, then they should be ok to live like that until we can get them to free range together in the garden. THanks for the advice - I've not tried mixing mixed ages before and it is a LOT harder than all the same age! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaack Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 i'm having the exact same problem atm trying to introduce a silkie to the rest of them. From previous encounters, if they are split in a run they tend to get along after a week or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJuff Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 I've just integrated four new girls to the others which was easier than anticipated. Just over a week separated by the end of an eglu run. An hour freeranging together at the end of the day. And two days ago all in together. The columbines/Skylines have paraded around with their tail feathers stuck up in the air for effect. A few pecks and today they are fine together. Peace at last! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helen&Lee Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 Have you tried a bumper bar on Dopey? I have avoided using one for months - because OH thought they were cruel, but my Cream Legbar was really attacking my broody Brahma whenever I put her out in the run to eat, so I put a bumper bar on her and the gingernut whom seemed to be joining in at the weekend. The difference was immediate - now I see her chasing but she can't actually harm - and doesn't seem to try like she did. I would be inclined to put a bumper on Dopey and try again, probably trying late afternoon so bedtime isn't too far away, a bit of corn scattered down for them to forage for so that Dopey can't try and protect the food stations. Its very hard trying to leave them to it - but to some degree this is what you have to do. I had to give myself a good talking to several times, assessing whether any pecking was too violent eg. feather loss/blood or whether they could eat and drink... I was exhausted, one of my chooks didn't try and bully the two new ones, but just vocally objected to them from the moment she got up to going to bed. 4.15am bokking was not appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
