Chicken pecking

[Elaine C]

Hi

 

Had my two new girls a week today and still no real signs of my old girls even tolerating the new ones let alone making friends with them. The first few days had the new girls in the run and the others out. Put treats by the eglu run to get them eating together as suggested in some posts. But on Wednesday had to go back to work so put some mesh between the sections of the run so they had two seperate areas during the day. When I let the girls out in the morning the old two usually come out first so I can lift the new girls out of the eglu and pop them at their end. This morning I was a bit later with this and they all rushed out together resulting in the old girls having a go, a lot of squaking and the new girls being chased back into the eglu, which was handy as I could then pop them in their section of the run.

 

I think I'm being probably being hyper sensitive as so far no blood has been drawn and I think the Amber probably is a bit of a drama queen making far more noise than is justified! OH is a lot more laid back than me and is all for putting them all together in the eglu run and says they just have to work it out. They have been in the netted run area together a couple of times over the weekend and he was able to be calm when the new girls got a pecking but I just couldn't watch and just shouted hysterically 'do something'! I'm sure deep down it all sounds worse than it is but it does sound so horrible.

 

That said they are sleeping together in the eglu at night albiet with a lot of scuffles and squaking before they all settle down. Tomorrow is wing clipping day for the new girls as when they were out at the weekend we discovered they like to fly. First onto the eglu run to get out of the way of the old girls and then both decided to make a bid for freedom over the net!

 

Once their wings have been clipped we get can get them all together in the netted area tomorrow and Sunday and see how it goes. Maybe not being in the confines of the eglu run will help them to get to know each other.

 

Anyway, just wanted some reassurance that things will calm down. Also have some anti-peck spray that I bought a while ago when I was first looking into getting the new girls. Does anyone think this will help at the moment? Would appreciate any thoughts.

 

Finally, the new girls are lovely

 

E

[red]

I am afraid I can't be of much help because - annoyingly for you, but luckily for me - my introductions have gone disturbingly well I got my new two last Saturday thinking that there would be blood and tears. I got my new girls home late in the afternoon and left Mavis outside the run whilst they got acclimatised and went to bed. It was soon dark so they all settled down together. I had planned to separate them the next day but they didn't seem too bad when I let them out first thing so I just left them all in the run together. This has worked very well although it has meant that Mavis has been forced to stay in the run when she would normally be freeranging - but I decided it was best to keep her in with them during their initiation period because I didn;t want them to think she was getting special treatment and so single her out. I let them out for the first time yesterday and they were all very chummy pottering around the garden - they did the same today. I guess I may have just got lucky. Also I was introducing 2 to 1 which I think is a bit different because I think its all about balance of power (see my comments in one of the other threads) whereas 2 to 2 the balance is tipped slightly in favour of the old girls ... anyway I'm waffling now

[bellekatz]

I have introduced 1 to 2 before and am now introducing 1 to 3 - I found the problems before were when they were confined in the eglu run. This time I have seperated them when I am out but let them together when they can freerange and they do go to bed quite happily together. It took 3 weeks for them to accept Elle when she came along but they all flock together nicely now. I think Chloe will fit in much quicker - she certainly knows where to sleep at night and I plan to let them free range all weekend so when I go back to work next week I am hoping the worst will be over. What i am trying to say is don't give up - it can take a while sometimes but they will sort out a pecking order eventually.

[red]

I think Gallina was right (on another similar thread) when she said that it all depends on the personalities of the individual hens - that would seem right given the varied success that people have had using all the various methods. At the end of the day they are going to have to sort out the pecking order for themselves - and they may as well do it sooner rather than later. FOr some it is quick and easy for others it is a more protracted affair because there may be more than one dominant personality. So long as there is no bloody nastiness I wouldn't intervene - just be on hand in case of real distress or suffering. My personal view is that the longer they are kept apart, the longer they have to build up an "us and them" attitude.

[Sheilaz]

Hi Elaine, I think you're nearly there, so can definitely offer some reassurance.

I once introduced 2 established pairs, which was a nightmare being all older birds with 2 top hens. They were so viscious I thought they would kill each other, but by 2 weeks I could relax, and 3 weeks they were foraging peacefully as if I'd dreamt the battles.

I did find that standing helplessly by was upsetting for me, and probably made them worse, as if they had something to prove to me. Also, after a week, I thought that just letting them get on with it couldn't be any worse, and it was a turning point.

So, I really think yours will settle down soon, from what you describe. Best wishes, and do let us know.

[chocchick]

I added Katy to T&S and let them freerange in their big pen and put out extra food. Generally she didn't get pecked as she ran away too fast, or if she did it was just one peck and there was no blood. It took about 3 weeks where it got gradually better over time and they let her get closer.

Beth was funny when we added her to T&S as she was laying (unlike T&S after several months ) and after initial hostility before the first night (Susannah repeatedly pecking Beth in the eglu and death cries when she appeared) I let them out of the eglu and they ran away from her terrified for days. I like to think it was the thought that a chicken could produce from there .

[Elaine C]

Hi

 

Thanks for your posts and advice.

 

So from what you have all said. Get them together outside the eglu run to freerange, leave them to it but keep an eye out, perhaps from a distance and no intervening unless it looks particuarly vicious. Then just give it time.

 

So that's the plan for the weekend, I agree that the longer they are seperated the longer it will take to intergrate.

 

Thanks again for reassurance. Will let you know how it goes this weekend.

 

E

[Egluntyne]

Might be handy to have loaded water pistol to hand to "surprise" any peckers.

 

Might just startle the culprit out of this behaviour.

[Elaine C]

Hi

 

This weekend. Things not much better between the girls. Had them all out in the netted area with me trying to keep a distance. All that happens is that there's two sets of chooks pootling around and when old meet new the new just run away and/or jump on the run to get out of the way. Clearly this is not contributing to integration!

 

OH then decided he would put the new girls and one of the old girls in the run together to see what would happen. I left the garden at this point! Anyway, the experiment didn't last long as apparently Cleo was going for the necks of the new girls so all were released. The new girls are just too terrified to stand up for themselves. Even the Amber, who when she arrived had a bit of attitude! and I felt asparations to be top chook.

 

I know you have said that time will probably help but it's difficult to get them together as it seems there is already a 'them and us' attitude as red has mentioned so how can they resolve their differences in this situation? During the week I have to keep them seperated and by the time I get home getting dark so they are thinking about going to bed.

 

I have had a thought today and would be grateful for any comments. If I fitted bumper bits to the old girls that would stop them pecking the new, would this help? My rationale is that I could let them all in the run together, initially for a short period, then increase the time, without me worrying that the old girls are going to draw blood! The new girls would then gain a bit of confidence and the old learn that their bullying tactics are not having any effect. When I put them to bed tonight the Amber was haunched up with head down and still being pecked by both the old girls. How much more submissive could a chook be? So have come to the conclusion that my old girls now have a bullying streak.

 

So would the bumper bits help? At the moment I can't see any other way of getting them together to resolve the situation. Of course there is always Eglutines suggestion of the water pistol. Not yet tried this but if I can get home early enough before dark, also worth a try.

[AnnieP]

I fitted a bumper bit to one of my aggressive girls and the relentless pecking (which had been going on for two weeks non stop) ceased within hours.

They are completely painless for the chook and I can thoroughly recommend them. They're a B***** to fit, but once they're on, I am confident your troubles will end.

Good luck!

[Elaine C]

Hi

 

Thanks Annie, definately worth a try then. I will order tommorrow. The old girls are probably not going to like it but they'll have to live with it! I just feel if I can get them together to sort out sooner it will be better for all - me included, I'm just on my second very large glass of red after settling them down for the night! These chooks are driving me to dirnk. That said, any excuse All quiet now in the eglu now though - until tomorrow!

 

Thanks, given me some light in the tunnel.

 

E

[Elaine C]

Hi

 

Just wanted to report that tonight the girls all went to bed relatively quietly with no squakings, just a few whimpers. So a huge improvement on the last week. Feel now that we're getting somewhere and hopefully won't have to resort to the bumper bits

 

Interesting tonight with the new girls. Let them out of the run to the netted area first to give them some stress free foraging time before letting the old girls out. A bit of squaring up and mild pecking between them but nothing serious so not worried. Looked like the Amber was getting the upper hand. Not much chasing from the old girls once they were let out too but it was beginning to get dark by that time.

 

The poor meadowsweet though only has one tail feather left, I hope they will grow back. She will definately be bottom chook I think but she has a lovely mild personality and is very cute

E

[Sheilaz]

That does sound good progress, Elaine, and yes, the tail feathers do regrow. Hope the good news continues. You need to update your signature, have you chosen the new names yet?

[Elaine C]

That does sound good progress, Elaine, and yes, the tail feathers do regrow. Hope the good news continues. You need to update your signature, have you chosen the new names yet?

 

Thanks for reply Sheila. Things pretty much as they were. They go to bed together now without too much probs. A bit of squaking, one or both of the new girls often shooed out into the eglu run but soon return to the eglu for sleep. When they're out in the netted area also a bit of improvement and at the weekend actually both groups actually got quite close before the new girls were chased away. Only chased and no real pecking. So some improvement, but at the moment can't even contemplate leaving them all in the eglu run together during the day. Tried it on Sunday and had to let them out. Too confined a space and was worried the new girls might hurt themselves with all the flapping to get away. The poor meadowsweet now has no tail feathers!! Also noticed tognight a bit of a chunk out of her comb. It's a bit of hard work at the moment. Have the run segregated by mesh so my morning routine is to let the old girls out first, they rush out leaving the new girls in the eglu and then take the new girls out of the eglu and post them in their section in the front. The plus side of this at least they are getting used to being handled. Then get home before dark in the evening (thank goodness for flexi time!) and let them all out together for a bit and let them go to bed, usually the new girls are first, which may upset the old girls as they may be in their fav roosting places. They all seem to have adapted to getting into the eglu via the egg port. Although this morning, as I needed to get to work early, none of them really appreciated getting up in the dark and displayed their annoyance very vocally!!

 

Anyway, next weekend OH is going to build a run for them, then they can all be out during the day together with space for the new girls to escape so I will feel more confident that they can be left alone all day and settle down. The run is going to be 3m x 6m with a 'reception' area so that any future new arrivals can be initially segregated. (can you believe this was OHs idea!! from saying he didn't really want more chooks he is now planning for future additions )This will also provide a quarantine area for sick chooks if needed. So hopefully this will help in future.

 

Basically, things are improving very slowly so I guess it's just a matter of time and more space and them getting more used to each other. I have now received some bumper bits but these are in reserve for if things don't improve. Don't want to use them if I don't have to but has provided a bit of reassurance and hope if things don't improve once they have their new run.

 

As for names - not chosen yet but there were some very good suggestions in previous posts. At the moment Billie, Nina, Dionne, and Aretha are in the frame. Once I decide will update signature accordingly.

 

Thanks

 

E