Patricia W Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 I'm flummoxed ! So hopefully you good people can help. I've always thought that having a cockerel will ease introductions of newbies into a flock. But I'm finding the opposite with Phillip. He is the one chasing, kicking, pecking the newbies to the extent that last weekend I really feared for their safety ( they hid in deep bushes and made themselves as small as possible- great fund extracting them). The two new girls are now about 22 weeks, one has wattles so I don't think she is far off laying. They've all been kept next to one another since the newbies were about 13 weeks, and seem fine separated by netting, but the free range togeher experiences have often been fraught, despite water pistols, treats etc. I'm scared to put them together overnight in case Phillip has a go. I'm wondering if the trio bonds are now too strong to let anyone else in. Am I wimp? Do you think I should let them sleep together? Any ideas?? Or do I settle for 2 flocks? Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 Could you isolate Phillip and let the rest of the flock bond for now, he will go back in a bit more humbled hopefully Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 Or try waiting til they are laying, in which case he's more likely to be interested in them for "other" reasons. I did have a cockerel like that though and he took such a dislike to one of my bantams, I had to start keeping two separate groups. That was the beginning of the end for me ...... if you have two groups, then what's the difference with three, or four, or five ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 On the basis that one always separates the bully I would try to put him on his own for a bit and see if the ladies bond. I don't know about Philip but my boy Harold has changed from being sweetness and light around his harem to pecking them and being quite horrid - because they've all come out of lay and he's moulting. If your 22 week old did come into lay he might be more welcoming to her? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted October 7, 2009 Author Share Posted October 7, 2009 I've tried taking him out, but he just becomes worried about " his girls" and they run round calling for him and won't eat- chaos! It's not a bullying situation in the " normal " sense as he is top chook by virtue of his gender. In his mind, he is protecting his girls from intruders. The original girls are reasonably accepting of the newbies now - so I think we've cracked that bit. I too was thinking it may be an idea till they come into lay, - then he'll maybe have another interest - especially as his two original ladies have almost stopped laying for the winter. What a palaver! Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 He's male, what do you expect!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted October 7, 2009 Author Share Posted October 7, 2009 I thought that was the answer! Interesting how the girls take it in turn to be the last out of bed each morning as he jumps on the first one up! Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
