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Guest Chickens1994

A few problems - Introductions

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Hi all,

 

I have a problem with my 4 pekin's whenever I try to introduce a new set of hens they attack them like cockerels attack each other, even after a month. They are in a really nice big run but they just don't seem to like new hens. I know they hate birds that are bigger but I really want 2 brahma but I am scared they will attack them :(

 

Thanks.

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Pekins are feisty. The trick with any introductions is to take it slowly, and be prepared to intervene if it gets really nasty. Try letting any newbies see your oriiginal girls for a while before mixing them. I know some people favour chucking them all in together and letting them get on with it, but I've always taken a couple of weeks over integration. I've never had any serious problems this way. Personally, I would be very wary of mixing big breeds like brahmas with pekins. The brahma could do a lot more damage to your bantams than vice versa.

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What sort of size run are you trying to introduce them in? I've had some pretty easy introductions this year of 8+week chicks and I'm sure it only works because they have a nice big electric fenced area to run about in... plus they look at each other through a run for several weeks first.

 

I wouldn't fancy trying to do introductions in a confined space, although plenty of people on here have done it successfully after a slow and carefuly process.

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I always take a month or two with intros to be safe. However, I had to take my two mille fleur pekins out of the large run as they kept attacking my brahmas.

 

:shock:

 

Mille has issues with any other birds hanging round with Fleur. She goes potty and starts attacking them. I think that I may just have to accept that they will live together and not tolerate any other friends. I am still trying to integrate them with the other pekins though...free ranging on alternative days, etc with a few hours out together at weekends but I'm taking it slowly and keeping everything crossed.

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Oh dear, sounds like you are having problems with your girls. :( You mentioned elsewhere that you have two large sheds for your girls - maybe you need to get some new girls and keep the new girls in your second shed and just be very gradual with introductions. The worst that can happen is you have to keep two seperate groups, but I wouldn't have thought that would be a problem with your set up! :D What about bringing home a cockerel from college? He may be able to keep the girls in line! 8)

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One of the sheds has bricks in at the moment as dad is in the process of sorting out the back garden which is why they are in their WIR most of the time. And I did ask for a cockerel but dad said no the neighbours wouldn't put up with it so that is out of the question.

 

I am thinking about moving my pekin's out of the WIR into a pen next to the WIR then getting some brahmas in the WIR then when the garden paving is sorted get them out around the garden :)

 

Just got to see because my breeder has 3 Dark Brahma hens in waiting for me so got to find the money to pay for them :):lol: Bank of mum and dad lol

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I just use a small small local breeder who has only a small amount chicks of 4 breeds a year. I live in a small town and everyone uses him for hens it is just easy that way :) He does set eggs for us that is how I got my pekins :) He culled the 2 cockerels for me and I got my 4 hens. He breeds Dark Brahma, Jersey Giants, Belgium D'uccles and serama. Massive size differences. However the jersey giants and brahma are like pet dogs they wonder through the house and around our lot of gardens so if people bring in different brahma or jersey hens they get mated by the cockerels. :lol: The jersey and brahma cocks were raised together and still sleep next to each other it is rather sweet :)

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