LittleBoPeep Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 Brief outline, already have 8 chickens perfectly happy and healthy. Introduced new chicken last week (skyline) and it has been picked on almost constantly ever since. Has taken to getting on top of cube to keep out of the way. ANYWAY, went out to check on her earlier this evening and saw she has big hole behind her comb, where they have obviously been pecking her. Have cleaned it with chlorine solution but what else can I do. She is drinking and eating but a bit off. Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madchickenlady Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 I would seperate her immediately to give her a chance to heal. It's also advisable to introduce a single hen to one other hen initially, before reintroducing the pair back into the main flock once they have paired up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newmarcell Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 I would separate her as well, before the rest of the flock do some more serious (fatal) damage. As madchickenlady said, then introduce her to one of the flock before putting her back with the whole group. Have you tried using anti-peck spray? Good luck, Newmarcell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phosphorus Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 Haven't had this myself (yet ) but can you isolate her until it heals? Is it bloody at all, chooks will be attracted to this and you could end up with a bloodbath on your hands. Gentian violet spray can help to cover any red that might attract further pecks. Bit late now, but I personally wouldn't try to introduce one hen to 8, the new comer is bound to get picked on by everyone as she is totally outnumbered by the well established hens. Did you put her straight in or introduce her slowly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleBoPeep Posted April 6, 2009 Author Share Posted April 6, 2009 Thanks for the prompt replies. I have now separated her into our old guinea pig hutch. So we shall see what happens. We did introduce her slowly and tried to follow the right guidelines so not really sure what has caused this upset. A few of the others are less aggressive so will try and pair them up. Just a bit concerned about the wound, I suppose it will have to heal naturally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 (edited) you say you only got her a week ago, I am sure you tried to introduce her slowly, but a week is just not long enough, they need a little longer. edited to add, didn't I read you got her on wednesday? that really isn't anytime at all, she should still be segrated for quarrantine at the moment anyway and not be with the other chickens IMO Edited April 6, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 Yes intro's take time but 1 into 8 just won't go. As has already been mentioned you really can't introduce 1 hen to a group as she will be pecked and bullied, sadly to death. She'll need time to heal now and possibly antibiotics.You might be able to add one of the group to her so that you can introduce 2 back. It may be that you will need to add 2 new hens to her and then introduce her back but that will all depend on your room available. I learnt the hard way several years ago, luckily I still have Lottie but she really did have a tough time being introduced (on bad advice) to just 2. I ended up with a new eglu to house her and introduced 2 new hens to her. It will take time, quite some time to get this right and I do hope you have a good outcome. Arnica and aconite 30c will help and you may need a vet to see her. I'll also move this to the clinic as you have an injured hen. Buffie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 Yes intro's take time but 1 into 8 just won't go. As has already been mentioned you really can't introduce 1 hen to a group as she will be pecked and bullied, sadly to death. She'll need time to heal now and possibly antibiotics.You might be able to add one of the group to her so that you can introduce 2 back. It may be that you will need to add 2 new hens to her and then introduce her back but that will all depend on your room available. I agree with the above. Adding 1 hen to an established pecking order isnt really good Im afraid as they will just gang up on her. You have done the right thing by seperating her and she will need to be kept seperated until the wound is healed. Purple spray is good as it disguises the blood and also acts as an antiseptic. Regular bathing with a weak tea tree/water solution will aid the recovery also. Just keep an eye on the wound area If the wound is really gaping, you might need to visit the vet if you think it requires stitching. If you decide to get another hen to add with your lone newbie a really slow introduction with supervised free ranging together after a while will help. Introduction times do vary, we've just waited 13 weeks to introduce our 2 new girls to the remaining 4 as the new girls were so small. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 I had 3exbats & 2 picked on 1 I got a rescue hemn from someone who just put 2 newbies she had rehomed into her exsisting 8 or 9. They killed her gfriend then started on her. (the poor love had lived with her friend alone until then.) I introduced 1 to 1 at that was fine . All 4 free ranged together but was a few months before they could be left in a newer bigger walk in run all togeher. Slowly does it when she has mended, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleBoPeep Posted April 6, 2009 Author Share Posted April 6, 2009 Am gutted about this especially as all our chickens are so healthy and we've never had any problems. Even when we hatched our own chicks they integrated so well with the other, admittedly they did have mum on hand to keep beaks at bay. Can I let her out with one other hen to free range in the garden? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 Can I let her out with one other hen to free range in the garden? Once she is healed and as long as you are there to supervise any attacks. It would be a good idea to do some seperate free ranging stints first though (them out - new ones in and vice versa) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 I agree that she should be kept separate until the wound has healed. Have her in sight and sound of the others during her convalescence, so that a bit of familiarity builds up. Articles on managing intros**here** I introduced one to eleven a while back when I took on someone else's chicken. I did it extra slowly and it went well. Just the odd skirmish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleBoPeep Posted April 7, 2009 Author Share Posted April 7, 2009 Hi there, well we have set her up in her own run which is next to the other chickens so they can see her and she can see them. Her wound is better today but still healing. She's eating and drinking which is good. Will leave her on her own 'til the wound heals and then introduce another chicken to her. Thanks for the advice from everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madchickenlady Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 Glad to hear that she's healing It'll take time (think weeks rather than days ) but you will eventually have an integrated flock (says the woman with a pekin chick living in her greenhouse so that the others don't eat her! ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 Hi there, well we have set her up in her own run which is next to the other chickens so they can see her and she can see them. Great idea , just so that they can all get used to each other & smell each other etc without being able to attack her. Give it lots of time & patience and fingers crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleBoPeep Posted April 11, 2009 Author Share Posted April 11, 2009 Just a quick update, Lily is doing really well, wound pretty much healed. Other chickens seem to be warming to her slightly even though its through chicken mesh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted April 11, 2009 Share Posted April 11, 2009 ooo lovely.. some god news Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 11, 2009 Share Posted April 11, 2009 Other chickens seem to be warming to her slightly even though its through chicken mesh. An encouraging sign. Good to hear that she is doing well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleBoPeep Posted April 19, 2009 Author Share Posted April 19, 2009 Hi there, another quick update - Lily is doing really well and pretty much integrated with the other chickens when they are free ranging. She now has one of the other girls with her at night and there seem to be few problems. Am probably going to put her back with the others sometime next week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 Fantastic news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 So pleased for you. Well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
