Mrs

[chixandthecity]

Hello

 

I need a bit of advice from someone more experienced.

 

We are only three weeks into our chicken keeping experiment and have had a baptism of fire.

 

We got two hens to start with. Blossom, the White Star is still here and Sunflower, the Cuckoo Maran had to be put to sleep on Tuesday due to illness.

 

We got two replacement hens to keep Blossom company. They arrived on Wednesday afternoon. They from the same flock, are the same age and breed (Warrens). We have been keeping them in a temp run and putting them to bed in our garage (minus car!). The two new ones seemed okay to start with but I noticed a little pecking from one of them (Rosie) yesterday. Today the problem is much worse. They have been a bit cooped up in their run but have been out free ranging first thing today and are out now. Our old hen is in the eglu run and they have not all been 'loose' together yet.

 

Anyway, Rosie is attacking Poppy quite viciously today. I sprayed Poppy with anti pecking spray but this has just encouraged Rosie to avoid Poppy's feathers and attack her about the head instead. Just came home after a couple of hours out to find Poppy cowering in the corner of the temp run with her comb and eyelids all bloody and pecked - looks like she's gone a few rounds with Mike Tyson. She's very subdued and even when I let her out to free range she's just standing around with her head tucked under her wing. I must admit I wasn't expecting too much trouble between the newbies! I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to do. Don't want to let Poppy get too traumatised. Both new hens were already laying and Rosie has continued to do so since arriving here, but Poppy has stopped.

 

We had a very similar situation with Blossom and Sunflower which caused Sunflower to stop laying and an egg became stuck in her oviduct causing her death. Really don't want a repeat performance.

 

HELP!!!!!!

 

Chix

[quickcluck]

How about a bumper bit on the pecky one? It would at least stop her from doing actual damage.

 

I'm afraid I am a novice also, but am sure some will be along soon. I wonder if they could all free range together under supervision, then the dominant one might get put in her place??

[The Dogmother]

A bumper bit would be a good idea and I'd get a water pistol and squirt her in the face each time she pecks the other hen. She'll soon learn.

[Egluntyne]

It is early days, and inevitable I'm afraid. Turn a blind eye unless blood is drawn or blast the bully with a hosepipe. A lot of it is grandstanding and showing off, but it isn't easy to watch.

 

Ordinarily I am a firm believer in the slow intro method, but your situation is a bit different. I'd put all three of them together and let them sort themselves out.

 

It will be about three weeks before peace breaks out if you intervene and 21 days if you don't.

[chixandthecity]

Thanks Quick!

 

Bumper bit might work.

 

I did just let all three out together for a free range and Blossom, our old hen, went mental! She was grabbing the newbies around the neck and it was all a bit much to deal with on my own, so I popped Blossom back in her run! Will wait til my partner gets home and try again.

 

Chix

[chixandthecity]

I appreciate your wisdom Egluntine!

 

Not sure if putting them all in together would work only because Blossom is a bit of a head case and I could imagine her tearing the other two limb from limb.

 

As you say, i'm sure it will all settle down, but what a palaver until it does, eh?!

 

Chix

[Henhathnofury]

It has to be slow...otherwise it is brutal. Make sure the established hens get treats - it is mostly food that is the problem. Can a section be fenced off for the new girls, so that they can see but not touch? Make sure they are put in together to sleep, perhaps all with a sprinkling of anti-mite powder or a rub over of garlic - so that they all smell the same. But close that door and make sure you whisk out the new girls very early in the morning....

 

It is horrible but trust me, it does settle.....

[Redwing]

How about swapping the new ones over with Blossom?

 

Blossom gets taken down a peg by a new location

Blossom can't peck any other hens in the temp accomodation

One instead of two in the temp accomodation means more space for that one

The new ones get more space which may solve the pecking problem

 

Then let Blossom free range with the other two in the run within sight and take it from there

 

Blossom may calm down if she doesnt see the original run as her turf

 

Putting them all in to sleep together is a good idea, just make sure you are up early to segregate them

 

Bumper bits are good if you can fit them (I can't!) I have a spare one if you pm me your address I will send it to you

[alih]

How is the pecked chicken now? If she is still bleeding or showing blood she will continue to be attacked by the others as they go for blood.

 

as they are all so young I agree with those much wiser than me and think free-ranging together is the way to start it, only intervening if the violence leads to blood! It is awful to watch but it does usually get better quite quickly.

 

Bumpa bits work wonders. Ebay or Wernlas will get them to you quickly but in the meantime I would watch them over the weekend and see if it settles down.

 

It sounds as though you have had an unusually tricky start but it will get better..

[Steph101]

If blood is drawn, spray the injured hen with gentian violet spray from the Domestic Fowl Trust, as chickens are horribly attracted to the colour red.

[quickcluck]

Good idea Red! It may well help...

 

Bits come from the wernlas collection and arrive REALLY fast!