LaPoule Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 Apologies in advance for the length of this post This spring we added two hybrids to our flock (dimished to two at that point), and they all integrated fairly quickly and painlessly. About two months later we added three bantams, and then another two bantams another month later. We kept the new bantams separated from the others, and realised that it might always be a possibility that the two flocks might never integrate, due to the size issues. After about a month, free ranging seemed to go quite well - there was enough space for everyone to keep out of each other's ways if necessary (with bumper bits fitted to all the older girls/ hybrids). We then integrated the bantams in with the original two - the thinking behind this was that they are both fairly small chickens (a VERY large Poland bantam, and a Fayoumi - Picasso and Peep), and the top chooks, so if we could get them to accept the bantams, the hybrids (Cloudberry and Lady Hamilton) might follow suit. Peep and Picasso accepted the little ones very easily. Everyone was still free-ranging together quite happily, and we decided to try and integrate Lady Hamilton into the larger flock, as she seemed to be next in the pecking order, and Cloudberry seemed a little meaner, so some extra time for her wouldn't go amiss. It was a little harder, but LH too is now integrated. During this time, Cloudberry was kept in the , right next to the , so that they could all see each other. She was not allowed to free range with the others though, as when they could get together, her and LH spent all their time together rather than integrating. Very cliquey. Cloudberry resisted all attempts at integration, seeming to get worse and worse. When it appeared that she tried to peck at Picasso (top chook), who has not been well, I decided that stronger measures were necessary, so moved the so that she couldn't see the others. After a week in solitary, we tried free ranging her with the others, but she definitely tried to have a go at Picasso, pulling a chunk of her head feathers out! She was put in solitary again, but when we tried to free range them again this weekend, she was even worse and there was a full on fight with Peep!! Obviously, the solitary isn't working for her, it seems to be making her worse! We have sectioned off part of the cube run (it runs to 6m) and she has been in there since the weekend. The feeding stations are quite close together, and I haven't seen any signs of aggressiveness through the mesh. Any other suggestions? Is it normal for a chicken to go into solitary and come out bolshier than ever?! Obviously, if we can't ever integrate her, she will have to live separately with LH, but any suggestions most welcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 Can you try confusing her by mixing her 1 on 2 with different girls every day and keeping a spray to hand to curb any bad behaviour. Maybe keep Picasso out of this for a while. Mostin suggested the divide and conquer approach to me on integrating my ex batts and it worked a treat, and I am now following the same approach with my newbies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaPoule Posted October 21, 2009 Author Share Posted October 21, 2009 Thanks Space Chick - I can't believe someone read my whole chicken opus! I have thought about the divide and conquer technique, but it would have to be weekends only (it's dark by the time we get home from work now) - would just a few hours at a time, and just at weekends, do the trick, do you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 Its worth a go, if it doesn't work, you can go back to the drawing board It was at weekends I started my divide and conquer approach and only for a few hours at a time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaPoule Posted October 21, 2009 Author Share Posted October 21, 2009 Excellent - that's my weekend set then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenfreek Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 I can't believe someone read my whole chicken opus! I read it all too but only have my 5 girls and havent had them long so never had to integrate so unfortunately i have no suggestions. But i did read it alll for you. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckingmad Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 Also read it all Definately go with divide and conquer - will have to start this myself in a few weeks time and am already having night sweats about it as Etty our faverolle and Pepper our Miss pepperpot seem to have a real disliking for each other Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 Dont worry, personally i like a good long post, it gives you a real idea of whats going on. i think space chick is spot on with the divide and conquer routine and i really hope this works for you. Keep us updated. good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 I read it too !! I think the divide & conquer is the way forward too, she is a stubborn little minx isn't she if solitary didn't work Good luck Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 I'm a great belever in divide and conquer and bumper bits too. If she starts her nonsense, make her submit to you. Make her see that she isn't top hen, you are. An icy blast with a hosepipe is also a fairly effective way of startling them out of it. Inevitably, there will be some skirmishing thugh. I'd only intervene if theings get really ugly. A lot of it is grandstanding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaPoule Posted October 21, 2009 Author Share Posted October 21, 2009 An icy blast with a hosepipe is also a fairly effective way of startling them out of it. I forsee a very wet Cloudberry Thank you all for your advice and for taking the time to read my original, rather wordy, post! I will let you know how we get on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 Hosepipe sounds a bit extreme but you have been having a rough time. Cloudberry does sound like she needs a bumperbit to prevent injuries while settling their problems. If only to protect Picasso. Your run is very long so shouldn't be overcrowded but wonder if you have/need some obstacles in there to give them room to hide from eachother when necessary. Good luck with this weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 When we integrated Florence and Martha just recently, as we were putting 2 in with 8, we did the divide and conquer, mixed with altogether freeranging and perches for them to escape to in the run.........they were still 'got at' but in a pecking order acceptable way rather than a bullying way. We did the divide and conquer every day for a week - in fact we ended up being confused of who was in where, so hopefully it confused them more. We are now into week 3 of them being in together and they are starting to mingle, though are still obviously outsiders - but everyone is happy & healthy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevtheplumber Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 ive had the same 3rd week in solitary, free ranging is ok a few pecks here and there, yesterday put her in with the other 2 to see how it went in the wir, absolute bedlam in the first 2 mins with the bully pulling lumps out, pushed her off and even stood in there, didnt make a differance so thats it all 3 will have to go and ill start again unfortunatley, ive tried peck spray, water hose and solitary and nothing ahs worked, mine might be differant as when we got them there was obvious signs of bullying which has got worse as time has gone on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckingmad Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 what a nightmare for you - could you maybe find the bully hen a new home? Am thinking that a new home with plenty of other chooks where she any aggrewssion would be spread out and she'd have to fit into the pecking order? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaPoule Posted October 22, 2009 Author Share Posted October 22, 2009 could you maybe find the bully hen a new home? and there was me looking forward to a session with the new hosepipe (Joking!) I'm sure she and I will come to some sort of agreement soon Just yesterday, I watched Picasso give Lady Hamilton a right telling off, because she pecked a sore spot (Picasso's moulting, and keeps fidgeting with the new feathers, so there was a spot of blood from a broken quill). I can tell you, LH won't do that again in a hurry! Clearly, Cloudberry has pretensions of grandeur, trying to take on both Peep and Picasso! Sprayed a bit of gentian violet on the broken quill - and then got some on my new cardi I now have purple spots on my skirt, all over the inside of the cube, and my cardi (not all from the same session though) - any suggestions on spot removal?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckingmad Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 ive had the same 3rd week in solitary, free ranging is ok a few pecks here and there, yesterday put her in with the other 2 to see how it went in the wir, absolute bedlam in the first 2 mins with the bully pulling lumps out, pushed her off and even stood in there, didnt make a differance so thats it all 3 will have to go and ill start again unfortunatley, ive tried peck spray, water hose and solitary and nothing ahs worked, mine might be differant as when we got them there was obvious signs of bullying which has got worse as time has gone on. Nooooooo, LaPoule, not your bully, KEVS bully Sounds like Cloudberry's a right character, sure she'll setlte eventually Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaPoule Posted October 22, 2009 Author Share Posted October 22, 2009 Aah! I was sure I'd missed something somewhere! Yes, I've heard about her - she sounds mean! Sorry Kev - hope things improve?! We could try teaming them up? - who knows, they might become the best of pals! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckingmad Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 *whispers... put them together with a BIG group of other girlies, am sure they'll come away thje nicest of ladies EVER!* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaPoule Posted October 22, 2009 Author Share Posted October 22, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
