Unsecure chicken perches

[Boybeck]

Hello

 

I'm trying to introduce one new hen to two existing ones in my walk-in run.

 

 

They have been in separate runs next to each other for three days and this afternoon I thought I'd try to let them free range together.

 

Blimey, the other two were so vicious! They grabbed hold of the new Light Sussex's feathers and hung on. I soon separated them again. It was a bit scary.

 

How long is this likely to last?!?!

 

Should I get a second Light Sussex? I wasn't sure my eglu could cope with two ISA Browns and two Light Sussex.

[Redwing]

maybe leave them separate for a bit longer, 3 days isnt long to have had them get used to each other

 

Then split one existing hen in to the small run and let the new one bond with the other one in the other part of the run, divide and conquer and all that.. you could do the same with the free ranging

[Plum]

Difficult. I would say the run is good for the three but it's going to be difficult and take some time. It's early days yet but I would do it the 'Omlet way' which is slow and easy.

 

What I would do is

-let the old two freerange around your new girls run for a bit longer and feed them around edge of new sussex run.

-Freerange together with a divide like Omlet netting

-feed them along the edge but still seperate

-freerange without the divide

-move to sleeping together and divided WIR

-all together

 

Take is slow. Use a water squirter to stop any problems at each stage and go back a stage if necessary.

 

But I would do the same if I had two to introduce. But you would have to do the introduction process with the two sussex and then the other two.

 

Good luck Do we get a look at your new sussex.

[Boybeck]

OK, slowly does it then. I was horrified at how my two existing chooks acted this afternoon, so violent. Little thugs!

 

Here she is. I hope the introduction goes ok, I'm a bit worried now. Fingers crossed.

 

[Egluntyne]

Some advice on managing intros **here**

 

Nice set up you've got there. There should be plenty of room for 4 if that is the route you decide to take. A few high perches or branches will provide the new one(s) with some respite.

[Plum]

She's beautiful. The others are just displaying normal behaviour but it is hard to see your lovely girls turn mean.

[sjp]

I've got a speckled sussex that I got easter she's been in the main run (been FR from about 2 weeks after I got them)since the dotte went broody in mid May she's still been pecked/smacked around by one of my older girls albeit not a violently know. so take it slowly and it should be fine

P.S.I should add my sussex if far to nice for her own good if she stood up to the gold legbar a bit it the legbar would soon back down but my sussex only wants to be friends with the bully

[Boybeck]

Thanks for all your advice.

 

I have started off this morning by scattering some food on either side of the divide and they are happily nose to nose apart from the odd flare up.

 

I was up at 5am this morning because one of them deciding to start its egg laying announcement, what a nightmare considering the neighbours have their windows open because it's so warm LOL. Hopefully it didn't disturb them. I woke up immediately, but I think us chicken keepers are in tune to the sound of the bok bok bocking!

[Boybeck]

Easy does it this morning, I've started off by scattering food either side of the divider.

 

There have been a few nasty pecks from my existing girls through the bars. I have given them a good talking to.

 

 

[The Dogmother]

That's they way to do it, take it slowly.

 

It's never easy introducing just one hen.

[Chucky1]

Our little darlings can be quite spiteful when they've a mind to.

 

Some good advice above. I'd emphasise the water pistol, it's great for breaking up s"Ooops, word censored!"s, though it needs to be one of the "pump up" super soaker types to do the job.

 

We did try it one time using plant sprays - the chooks just laughed

 

Good luck

[Boybeck]

LOL! I like the sound of a pump action water pistol. Where did you get it from?

[sewitall]

I think Chucky is referring to the Hoselock type sprayers you get from the garden centre. They are normally used for spraying insecticide but I would reserve it's use for plain water only. They have a k"Ooops, word censored!" on the end of a steel pole which you pump up and down to create pressure inside the bottle. The nozzle is adjustable to create a fine mist or a good jet which will hit it's target several feet away. A quick push on button will give a naughty chicken an unpleasant surprise. I only have to show mine to the bossy ones and it's amazing how they suddenly behave themselves.

[Chucky1]

Sorry my post was a bit misleading.

 

The pump action super soakers are available in toyshops and the like, they're about £8 to £12.

 

The plant sprays I was on about are the bottle type with a trigger pump spray on the top they're for "misting" plants - no good for persuading chooks.

[Boybeck]

Hahaha the little boy in me is definately thinking "I want the pump action water pistol"! What an excuse to go and buy one

[jennydavies]

Your new girl is just gorgeous and looks just like our Blanche

 

 

[Boybeck]

Aww Blanche is gorgeous. I've been wanting a light sussex for ages, they are so pretty.

[Boybeck]

Sunday evening update:

 

Second day of supervised free ranging together. The two existing chickens are still going for the new Light Sussex when ever she gets close to them, but she seems a lot more confident and is skirting out of the way, rather than just crouching and letting them try to tear her feathers out.

 

"Sally" has even ventured into the walk-in run and as if to stick two fingers up at the other two, she sat on their nest in the Eglu.

 

I'm really hoping that the two existing chickens come to accept her and stop chasing Sally away. The violence doesn't seem as harsh now after one week. They are grabbing her feathers rather than her comb which makes me feel better.

 

It's still awful to watch the bullying though and I really hope they can learn to accept her.

[Boybeck]

When chickens go bad!

 

[Boybeck]

Well my new Light Sussex may be chased around the garden by the other two but it's not stopped her laying an egg. It's a tiny little thing about an inch high. Will the eggs get bigger?

 

A week in and the supervised free ranging appears to be getting calmer, although the others still run at her when she gets close.

[Plum]

Congratulations on the egg Yes they do get bigger. It sounds as though you are slowly getting there

[Boybeck]

A bit of a set back tonight. They both pounced on her while free ranging together. Held her down by the scruff of the neck.

 

But on a positive note she jumped up on the table to escape from their clutches and decided to do a spot of surfing on the net.

 

[jennydavies]

Aaaah bless her - she's gorgeous

[Boybeck]

Right now the other two have gone to bed in the Eglu. Sally has walked into the walk-in run and is sat outside the Eglu wanting to get in. She's obviously not that bothered by the bullying.

[crankycookie]

What a great shot! I do love a light sussex, but they are so hard to find in the states.

 

Sounds like the intros are going predictably. I introduced two pullets to my lone hen and all in all I'd say it took about two months before the pecking stopped altogether. When my white rock was pecked, she screamed bloody murder at first, then she figured out that being pecked by a beak trimmed bird wasn't really that painful, so her squawks became more quiet and obligatory, until finally she didn't even seem to notice them. (They were only being doled out if she was being too piggish about the treats.) When they finally start wandering as a flock, it's really satisfying and makes the hassle and worry of introductions worth it.