maxwell17 Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 After loosing margot our Rhode island last week, we got a buff Orpington at the weekend. she s beautiful but my 2 other chickens are picking on her . How long will this continue and is there anything I can do to help her ? also we need a name for her if anyone has any ideas . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bouldercroft Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 I lost my RIR before xmas - I'm holding off on replacing her until after a planned trip in February but I already have names for them - Mavis & Rita I can't help much with the introductions - I got my three at the same time and just threw them in together and they figured it out without drawing blood. It'll be interesting to see how it goes now that Korma and Josie are established.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 Hi, have you read the information about introductions on the forum? This should answer your questions, and generally recommends keeping new hens apart from your existing flock initially and introducing them gradually. Your existing girls will keep picking on your new girl whilst they are establishing the new pecking order - how long it goes on for varies but it can last for for a while. If you cannot separate them, keep an eye on your new girl until things settle down, and make sure that no injuries are caused and blood drawn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 I'm ashamed to admit that I bought a new chuck on impulse a couple of weeks ago. Poor little Noodle did get picked on by my Ex-batts, so whilst I was at home I would let them out to free range and leave her in the run, and then let Noodle out and bring them back in so that they could get used to each other. From day one they all seemed to pile quite happily into the eglu together at bedtime. There was one day when I couldn't be on hand to supervise, so for that day I left Noodle in a huge sort of cat basket thing, well in sight of the other girls. I am pleased to say that two weeks down the line Noodle seems to be fully integrated into the "flock", although at times I did wonder if I had done the wrong thing. Persevere, they will sort themselves out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxwell17 Posted January 17, 2011 Author Share Posted January 17, 2011 Thanks for all of your comments, i suppose i just wanted a little bit of reassurance more than anything hope they will sort themselves out soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna C Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 Hi orpingtons are really docile and she will always be at bottom of pecking order, but give them a few weeks and they'll settle down once they see she's happy at the bottom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
