Unsecure chicken perches

[Ed Picaloon C Boodle]

Hi all

I have recently introduced a Buff Orpington, to Kate the Blue Maran, who has been on her own the past week.

Well... there has been a lot of pecking, Kate is chasing her around their run, and the Buff is petrified and has spent most of the morning in the hen house, even though I got them up at 7.30!

Is there anything I should do, during this tricky period.

 

Thanks for any advice.

Ed

[Olly]

Absolutely normal. They need to establish who is 'top hen', and there will be a bit of pecking etc while this goes on - just keep an eye out to make sure no blood is being drawn, because if that happens then you will need to intervene. Make sure there are two places for food and water, so Kate can't dominate both of them at the same time.

 

Your new hen may indeed spend quite a lot of the next two weeks hiding in the hen-house, sitting up high etc so she is out of reach - that all serves to reinforce Kate's position as dominant hen, so don't worry too much about it as long as she can eat and drink. Once they've established 'who's Queen' they will probably be good friends.

[JillM]

Yes, it's awful to watch but they need to do it. Just have purple spray at the ready for any wounds and be prepared to isolate the Orp while she mends, if blood is drawn.

[Ed Picaloon C Boodle]

Hi guys,

Thanks for you answers.

Ed

[Ed Picaloon C Boodle]

Yes, it's awful to watch but they need to do it. Just have purple spray at the ready for any wounds and be prepared to isolate the Orp while she mends, if blood is drawn.

Heya,

 

I don't really have any ware to put her. But In there many tussles I have not seen any blood drawn yet.

Both have separate food and water, I have kept some inside of the house were The Orp is at the moment.

Thanks

Ed

[Olly]

Provided no blood is drawn, then leaving them together is the best thing - they will get on with it sooner. If you do see blood then you'd need to check it wasn't serious, and use purple spray to cover it, as once a hen sees blood it will go on pecking and Kate might develop a rather nasty habit! If you do have to isolate her temporarily, a cardboard box or a cat-carrier will do. It sounds to me as if it's all going according to plan, you'll just have to brace yourself not to feel too bad when you see the Buff hiding in corners.

[craftyhunnypie]

I've had this before now. As long as they have separate food & water they will eventually get more daring & get on. Sometimes they snuggle together at night, but can't bear to look at each other in the day.

Free ranging them together under supervision helps!

 

Emma.x

[Ed Picaloon C Boodle]

Hi

 

That's exactly what they are doing, sleeping next door to each other, while chasing her around in the run the next!

Ed