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

[catherinej]

I have recently tried to introduce my existing Miss Pepperpot to a Pekin (not by choice but she was given to me as she was an unwanted pet). They have been together for a week now and Penny (the Miss Pepperpot) is still bullying Dot (the Pekin).

 

After they went to bed tonight, we heard Dot squeeking and went out to find her huddled in the corner of the eglu with Penny viciously pecking her! Dot can't even stand up to her as she is so small and so I have taken her indoors and is currently sleeping in a cat box.

 

My local Poultry supplier has agreed to rehome her for me and so I was going to get 3 hybrids to go with Penny. Trouble is I am now worried about introducing them to her. I don't have a spare eglu or alternative accomodation in case of bullying. Would she be likely to bully a hen which is a similar size to her? She was kept with a gingernut ranger and they got on ok. Any advice please?

Edited January 10, 2009 by Guest

[moomin]

You are likely to do better with 3 hybrid to your Miss P than a tiny Pekin. I don't have any experience of introducing new chickens but I know it's best to do it slowly.

 

Hopefully someone will be along soon who has had more experience, also there is some good info on this forum

[Egluntyne]

Info**here** about introducing chickens.

 

A pekin won't stand a chance against a fully grown hybrid who is not in a mood to be friendly.

 

Mixing bantams and hybrids is often a recipe for disaster, although some do pull it off successfully. I realise you have had this hen foisted upon you and you aren't in this situation by choice.

 

 

You need to keep her in separate accommodation and maybe get her some companions of her own size.

[Janty]

I would agree with Egluntine. We made the mistake of trying to have a mixed flock to start with and the pekin got bullied. We bought separate accomodation for the pekin and some little pekin sized friends for her and things improved dramatically. All my girls free range together now without any problems but I did let my big girls free range around the outside of the pekins' eglu for about three months before I attempted letting them out together.

 

Hope things improve,

 

Jan

[Tara.F]

I have a mixed flock (which sounds awfully grand for my few hens! )

We had two biggish hybrids then the next year added some bantams.

we found that it was a numbers game.

The littlies needed to outnumber the biguns! It didn't make them all play nice, but it did mean that the littlies got a bit of respite and now they all get along fine although the big girls are still very much the bosses

[catherinej]

Thanks for the advice. I didn't think it would work but my OH wanted to give it a try. They have been freeranging all weekend as my OH has been in the garden building a walk in run (looking good) and they get on fine while they are out. The trouble seems to start at bedtime.

 

I can't really afford to buy another eglu to house the pekin so I think it would be best if she is rehomed with some little friends! I really don't like to give up on her but if she can have a better, bully free life elsewhere, then I think it would be for the best.

 

As far as introducing new hybrids to Penny goes, do you think I would need some temporary accomodation for them? I think they will be young birds around 18 - 20 weeks.