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

[Berkochicks]

Can someone give me some advice. We received our omlet on Thursday with 4 chickens. Yesterday we bought 2 more with the theory that they wouldn't of established a pecking order, and would accept the 2 new ones. There doesn't seem to be a pecking order, but when I tried to introduce them late yesterday evening they all seem to be going for the Amber Star. They have had a wee go at the Speckledy but just a few pecks. At the moment I have the Amber Star on her own in the Omlet run and the others in the fenced in area around the run. Is it bad to isolate her like this should I keep the Speckledy in with her?(they get on fine) Am I making is worse by keeping her away? do you think it could be the Omlet and run they are being territorial about.

 

They are not free ranging yet but in a large fenced area. I also have a friends Ark I could put her in.

 

I have heard that chickens can be racist could they just have identified her as being different. Was it a bad move on my part to buy just 1 Amber Star.

 

I did give them all a squirt of vinegar & water before bed and they seemed to have got on OK during the night.

 

Any ideas???

 

Donna

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Welcome to the forum, Donna .

 

I've not got personal experience of this (just got 3 who all came together) but I believe from what I've read that a certain amount of pecking is quite normal and should settle down in a day or so. You just have to be very vigilant and watch that no blood is being drawn (they are attracted to blood and will peck more ).

 

I think some people have tried to distract the peckers, perhaps with a water pistol?

 

Good luck with it, keep us posted .

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Just came across this which Egluntine (our fount of all chicken knowledge ) had posted for someone else. It might help!

[Egluntyne]

I have heard that one "different" hen will be singled out, but I have one white hen (an Amber Link) and she has had no particular problems.

 

Sounds as if you are doing the right things, althoiugh I would keep the speckledy with her rather than have her on her won.

 

I'd give them plenty to do....cabbages to peck at, supervised free ranging. When they seem to go for her, intervene with a broom.

 

If food is the issue, it is a good idea to put out several food and drink "stations".

 

Article about managing intros **here**

[Berkochicks]

Thanks everyone for the help.

 

Tallulah(Speckledy) spent the rest of the day with Princess (Amber Star) in a fenced off area of the large run. Got them all together just before bedtime and they only had a few pecks. They are all tucked up together and all is quiet. I think I will do similar for the next couple of days until they are all free ranging.

 

Just got to get the kids to bed now!

 

Donna

Maisy

Mrs Williamson

Rosie

Martha

Princess

Tallulah

[helenmb]

I have an Amber Star who was picked on by my old girl when I introduced the new girls to her. She is fine now but still gets the odd little lunge from Millie but I too wondered if it was because she was white. I have read that this is not uncommon, hopefully yours will settle down and with my introductions, things went very well all things considered. Can't say they are the best of friends but hay, ho it could be a lot worse. Also my was the first to lay so don't know if Millie thought she was more of a treat as she was maturing quicker than the others?

 

Fingers crossed for you the next time they are all together.

[Berkochicks]

Amazing change this morning. They all came out of the house together and are getting along just fine. A few odd pecks here and there in Princess's direction but nothing like on Saturday. I think my 4 year old's lecture on bullying may have helped!

 

Donna

[keyhole kate]

Hi Donna welcome to the forum you live close enough to me

to be a Neighbour I am introducing 2 new girls to my existing flock

of 7

[The Dogmother]

That's good news Donna, try not to intervene unless blood is drawn. They need to sort out their differences.

 

I see that Egluntine has linked you to the introductions post - it's really best to have alternative housing for newbies for about a week, while they get used to each other, then introduce them gradually.

[Berkochicks]

Kate,

 

hope your introduction goes as well as ours did (in the end). All is well today, Princess is now asleep next to all the others in the nesting box.

 

Any recommended suppliers in the area?

 

Donna

[Emma Tarpey]

If they draw blood thats it game over but you could spray them all with vinegar and put them all in together at night do they then all smell the same. Also if it continues to carry on split the run in half hope this helps

[keyhole kate]

If you mean feeds etc kennel Gate in Hemel Ebberns Road

Woodside Animal Park Slip End near Luton does feed, mite powder etc

& hens I find them quite helpful and have healthy birds

there is a farm apparently at Bourne End (Herts ) who supplies

auboise/ hemcore not sure what else I know they sell equine products

my DD has the name she went there for stuff for her tortoises I will ask

her again (I have forgotton ) and PM you.