Unsecure chicken perches

[welshnik]

Well as you know we had Christmas and Easter and then got three new chooks. Houdini and Easter are not getting on at all as Easter attacks Houdini every time she sees her (not great in a cube). What do we do? Do we rehome Easter the bully or Houdini, the nice inquisitive chook?

 

Thoughts welcome...........

[Lydia]

I'd say give it time. If the new ones only arrived on 16 Jan then I'm not surprised they are not getting on just yet.

 

Introductions take time and patience, and separate accommodation or a divider is necessary for a time. I usually alow between 5-7 weeks for a successful full introduction, any less and I find that things can turn ugly.

 

There are lots of threads about intros on here and in the FAQs.

 

Invest in some Ukadex (available by mail order). Some people use bumper bits although I personally don't agree with them. But please don't rehome just yet.

[meezers]

Is there anyway you can seperate the bully for a while ? maybe divide the run and use a dog cage/ cat carrier as sleeping quarters. If she's taken out of the equation for a while, she might lose her place in the pecking order and behave herself when she's allowed to mix again.

If you have to rehome one, I'd keep the nice one, if you kept the bully she may find someone else to pick on.

[Olly]

It's early days, as Lydia says - I'd give it time. The most successful introductions are done very slowly, and if at any stage it isn't working, just go back a step and continue for a bit longer, but separation is vital for the first few weeks. I certainly wouldn't make a rehoming decision after only 10 days, a lot could change.

 

Bumper bits or Ukadex are options, but I think I'd just go for a very slow intro. and see if things sort themselves out a bit.

 

Take a look here for advice on intros.

[Redwing]

They shouldnt really be in together after just 10 days, what has been the introduction process up to this point

 

Certainly dont make decisions yet

 

In response to your actual question, if this was an established situation I wouldnt rehome the bully, I have one too and am loathe to pass the problem on to someone else its just not fair!

[chelsea]

The most successful introductions are done very slowly, and if at any stage it isn't working, just go back a step and continue for a bit longer, but separation is vital for the first few weeks.

 

 

I agree.

 

Give it more time and you may see a change, it took twelve weeks to merge our last 2 hens with our main flock and once merged it was very successful.

 

Good luck!

[Egluntyne]

Give it time and provide distractions.

 

Why not try separating the bully for a week or so, so that the others can form a gang and she will lose her place in the heirarchy.

 

Did you do slow introductions?

[joegg]

Early days yet, when we introduced three new young ones to our remaining chook without complex separation arrangements it took about three weeks to settle and i think we were lucky.

[Patricia W]

I have the record for slow introductions I think. The two we got in July are still not fully integrated with the original trio ( I cockerel and 2 wives). We've progressed to them accepting one of them ( who makes eyes at the cockerel !) but the other one still gets chased off. So this morning I had a group of 4 and one about 10 yds away looking longingly at the group! The problem is that she has been cornered by the wives and they really go for her in a determined manner.

 

I still don't leave them together if I'm not around. But we'll get there in the end - I think...

 

So, although you don't want to be as long as me, you do need to give it time.

 

Tricia

[abwsco]

We introduced two new ones to our flock in January last year and they are still really outsiders

[prof]

No. dont rehome just yet

i think all chucks are different at the time it takes to get fully aquainted with each other. Mine were probably the quickest intro ever they free ranged for a few hours then took themselves off to bed in the same ! and that was that i think it is best to be guided by your chucks.

[grracee]

As everyone else has said, I would give it abit more time yet. It took my bully barnebar's ages to get used to having the two new orps but they get on like a house on fire now, well except for the odd telling off for them

It took mine the best part of a month-ish to properly get used to eachother, as a few people have said it might be best to separate for a while. Perhaps fence them off from eachother in some way so that they can still see eachother.

Hope it all works out well

[sandyhas3chucks]

I haven't read the whole thread by my introductions are alweays longer than most people.

I just take it as slowly as is needed for trhe type characters of the girls concerned.

So agree with what I did read,

very early days yet

good luck

[beulah59]

Our first introductions took three weeks, this latest lot only 7 days (although I've yet to see how they get on in the morning!) ... I really hadn't planned to do it this fast, but they have a fair amount of space to get away from each other if necessary, and it's clear who's top hen.

 

So I'd agree, it depends on the hens ... sometimes they take matters into their own hands. I'd planned both times to give it a month!

[welshnik]

Thanks everyone

 

I wrote that over lunch when I'd just got home for a quick cuppa and Easter was just going for Houdini hell for leather and I was . Luckily Houdini knows how to perch up high so can always escape, I just find it annoying that she feels she has to. I think you are right - separate living quarters for and perhaps she'll lose her place in the crowd. She was a lovely hen before going to live (emergency measures) with a friend's flock and they all picked on her and now she's a changed, angry chook!!!

 

Hmmmmm off to find emergency sleeping accommodation for . Luckily hubby's a good handyman and it was his idea to get 3 more, so we'll see!!!!

 

Let you know how it goes!!

[Plum]

It might be worth extending the run if you have the standard one now you have 5.

[welshnik]

We already have an extension but are considering another!!

[Space Chick]

How are things going now Nic?

[welshnik]

OK, so hubby was away yesterday so for some peace I free ranged them all for a total of about 3 hours in 2 stints, which seemed to work. Hubby is as I type making emergency accommodation for Easter, so she'll be segregated but free range with them and we'll see how that goes for a day or so. Interestingly, when Easter and Christmas were out of the way, Houdini (also a ) seemed to be the boss of and so maybe it's a breed trait!!!!!