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

[Leicester_H]

Hi

 

Chikki & Boo (both original Omlet chickens approx 2.5 years old) were ‘joined at the hip’ – they did everything together. On Thursday 30th July, we had to have Chikki put to sleep. Chikki was top chicken. By Saturday Boo was badly pining and staying in the eglu. On Sunday we got Lily (a white sussex) and Smokey (a merrydale blue) from Merrydale Poultry.

 

We put them in a separate run, about 1m from Boo’s run. They were only 15/16 weeks old and a both bit nervous. After a week or so, I was confident I could get them back into the run and let them free range a little. They were settling in and getting excited everytime they heard the back door as they associated with getting a little something !! After another week, we let all 3 free range together (a few times). There were a few disciplinary pecks to the back, but nothing major.

 

So, last Saturday, we put them all in Boo’s run together. Again, a few disciplinary pecks to the back, but nothing major. On Saturday night, they all slept in the eglu together. Sunday, Boo was getting a bit more aggressive towards them.

The 2 new girls were basically confined to the far back corner, with occasional forays to get some food and water (I put an extra water supply near their end)

 

On Sunday night, Lily was settled in the eglu. Boo went in, jumped on her back and started laying into her. Lily was half asleep and couldn’t do anything. I prised Boo off with a torch and closed to door, with Boo inside and the other 2 outside – so at least they’d get some rest (and could eat & drink before I let Boo out at 7.30 (as normal for her)).

 

Yesterday, the 2 new girls were mostly cowering in the back corner. I saw Boo run into them, and attack Lily quite unnecessarily and chase her round the run. Lily is the more timid of the 2 and certainly no competition for Boo. She did this 3 times in 5 minutes – so after the last time, I sprayed her head with water. (We’d been doing this after persistent attacks).

 

I let the new girls out (on their own) for a bit of free ranging, just to give them a break from Boo. (Boo had a similar spell of free ranging earlier). They had lost all their newly acquired confidence.

 

Last night, they slept together in the eglu but this morning the 2 new girls were too scared to come out. When they heard us, they ran towards me. Lily got as far into the front corner as possible and was flat on the ground. Smokey was terrified and climbed on top. Boo laid into them both. They were totally submissive and simply wanted to get away. But Boo was having none of it. To me, this seemed more like bullying than establishing the pecking order.

 

Lily tried to drink some water and Boo again attacked her. They both seem terrified. Since we(Brin &I) are both out for a lot of today, I put the 2 new girls back into their separate run. Brin said this was only prolonging the process but I felt that without some supervision, the 2 new girls were in danger of becoming traumatised. Boo seems to be getting more aggressive towards them, not less.

 

So my questions

Q1. When they squeal, it is real pain or half pain and half surprise ? Is it as viscous as it looks ? How viscous is ‘normal’ ?

 

Q2. Do we supervise and squirt Boo with water is she persists in attacking them or do we just leave them to it ? (I find it very difficult to watch)How long is it likely to continue?

 

Q3. Is giving them some short (30 mins) respite breaks from each other a good idea or just prolonging the integration.

 

Q4. Is it all OK as long as no blood is shed ? Will persistent attacks traumatise them ?(They seem to be as they simply cower in the back corner now)

 

Q5. What are the chances that Boo will never accept them – what do we do then ?

 

HELP !! Any ideas/advice will be gratefully received.

 

H

[Space Chick]

I am no expert, but have just started my 2nd set of introductions. The 2 experiences so far have been very different. Yours sounds kind of in the middle. If no blood is drawn I would say that is a good sign, however, if she is persistently having a go, I would bumper bit her to be on the safe side. I had to bumper bit one of my ex batts on Sunday when she drew blood from one of the other ex batts.

 

I would also set up additional food and water stations, as Boo will not be able to man more than one, at least then the newbies can eat and drink well.

 

In answer to your questions:

 

1. Don't know, but not drawing blood is a good sign, I'd still bumper bit Boo though.

2. I'd squirt! I did this during my first set of intros (and will do once we have combined free ranging this time) it worked really well as it stops things getting out of hand.

3. Not sure, but I can't see it doing them any harm.

4. See answer 1

5. She will accept them in time, I thought Donna would not accept the 2nd lot of girls (as had the biggest issue when we got the 2nd lot), however, after 6 weeks she is dustbathing with her new sisters like old friends. The new ex batts however, she is squaring up to at the divide. I think some girls take longer to adapt to change. Interestingly Donna was my bottom chook, like your Boo, so Boo is probably ensuring that she is top chook now. Donna was determined not to be bottom chook any more, and I'm seeing the same signs in new bottom chook Leela with the ex batts.

 

Hope this helps, I'm sure that someone more experienced will be along in a minute

[Couperwife]

I dont know , we have never bought new ones in with old ones.

 

but remembering what ive read previously, I think its a good thing that there is no blood.

 

unfortunately its called "pecking order" because thats exactly what it is , bumper bit to the bully is what I would do.

 

some people suggest the "let em get on with it and sort it out themselves" and others "hose em down - im boss, not the chickens" im sure they both work in their own way.

 

do you have plenty of water and food stations - so they can all separate and eat?

 

dont know if this post was useful to you but ((hugs)) and good luck

 

cathy

x

[CluckyBucks]

I agree with the post above I think a bumper bit is in order

 

Good luck

 

xx xx

[Leicester_H]

Have just received a bumper bit from Space Chick - will hopefully fit it tonight.

Fingers crossed it helps make Lily & Smokey's lives more bearable.

 

H

[chicklit]

Hi Hazel,

 

I think that if the new chooks are only 15/16 weeks they are too young to be put straight in with your established hen. Personally I would keep them separate for a while if you have another house and run. Put them where they can see each other and gradually let them get to know each other until the newbies are about 19/20 weeks. They will then be more mature and able to stand up for themselves.

 

I am about to take on two or three new chooks from Merrydale Poultry but I am also obtaining another house/run for them. I want to merge them with my existing two eventually but I intend to take it very slowly.

 

Whatever you decide to do, good luck.

 

Brenda

[Leicester_H]

Hi Hazel,I think that if the new chooks are only 15/16 weeks they are too young to be put straight in with your established hen. Personally I would keep them separate for a while if you have another house and run. Put them where they can see each other and gradually let them get to know each other until the newbies are about 19/20 weeks. They will then be more mature and able to stand up for themselves.

Hi - yes -we did that. We got them on 2nd Aug. They were is seperate runs - but could see each other. we let them out separately and then a few times together. we didn't put them all in together until last saturday (22nd). But the new girls do still seem quite young and skitish. Now Boo has a bumper bit, we hope to try again in the next few days.

Thanks, everyone, H