Chicken picking at feet

[Jonesey]

Hi Miggy,

 

I am a mere novice having had my 4 chhickens since August 2011 and 4 weeks ago had 2 new additions. 4 weeks in and the 2 bullies are tollerating the newbies now but if the newbies try and join in with the flock then the bullies turn on them as if to say your not in our gang!

 

At night time the newbies are the last 2 to enter the house and the bullies stand inside by the door stopping them entering by pecking at them each time they pop their head in to the house.

 

From what Ive read in can take 8 weeks before the newbies are fully accepted. It's difficukt to see the newbies in the run on their own whilst the other 4 are on the otherside but I guess I have to be patient.

 

I should be pleased that my newbies are now only getting a sharp peck, Ive read other stories where blood is drawn and chickens end up damaged.

 

Hope yours find their feet soon

[Sami6669]

Hi

The newbies have been with us a week now and things are a lot calmer. They free ranged a bit last week and over the weekend, there is less pecking in the run and they have had to sleep together since the first night, as they needed to be safe from the resident foxes.

They went through hounding the newbies back into the coup every time they came out, but this no longer happens. They all lay happily and there have been no more broken eggs. My neighbour still hears them having a bit of a go at each other, but I always make sure there is loads of food in various corners of the run, this keeps them very occupied. If I do hear them having a go, I open the bathroom window and call down to the offending chicken, it's quite funny, but they look up and stop, a bit like being caught and told off.

I'm so glad the pecking has lessened, I did at first use bamboo canes, threaded through the bars of the run to seperate them, but I thought it was just putting off the enevitable, which it probably was. It has seemed to work, letting them share sooner, rather than later.

I hope things get better for you soon

Sami

[gazzagerkin]

We are also in the middle of an introduction. A death meant we were left with the one hybrid and didn't want her to get lonely. We were recomended to get a couple of ex-bat as they would be the same age-ish as our girl. I can tell you she was not happy at the newbies and all hell has let loose. The biggest ex-bat beats up our girl and she in turn is mercyless on the small ex-bat. We are trying to keep them apart and letting them near each other under supervision with some corn but it is a nightmare. We are at the end of week one. I hope it doesn't take much longer our nerves wont take it and we are going away in a couple of weeks.

 

Miggy

 

we have the same here ,we were down to 2 ,our amber was looking a bit under the weather ,went to see kirsty at hens for homes to get 2 more but she put the amber down straight away [april 14 ]leaving our 3 year old sussex ranger by herself so had to take one black rock pol straight away to keep her company

 

,the sussex did not stop screeching for the first 4 hours and if left alone she attaked the black rock they were kept apart by our picket fence around the patio,they have slept together since the 1st day with the window of the nesting box covered so they dont start screeching at 6 30 in the morning

 

the black rock spends most off her time on the patio and the sussex on the grass its now 5 days later and savage pecking/attacks have quitened down ,they seem to be getting tolerant very quickley

 

got to go through it all again in a months time when we introduce 2 more pols

[Mrs Potts]

Hello, campers!

 

Ninja has settled a bit but still isn't fully integrated, having her own run and sleeping in a cat basket (with insulation). She has had a sneeze ever since arriving so probably best. The other three are a lovely little bunch.

 

I started to free range them together and after a couple of scuffles, it was ok. Ninja is top hen, no question. If the scuffle was vicious, I poked Ninja firmly on the back of the neck and said 'no' and she stopped at once - so now I am top hen to Ninja. She and I are best pals, she sticks to my ankle like a dog when we free range together and is happy to be cuddled. She is beginning to know her name when I call it.

 

I have had them inthe WIR together for an hour at a time over the last week but am conscious they avoid her - noisily! After an hour of being whinged at she gets bit stroppy too so I either have to sit in and keep peace, or open the door so they free range and escape/get diverted.

 

Am looking to lengthen shared WIR visits over next two weeks. Link to their photos is below, which I know someone will have to do something with to activate. So, it is taking a long time like all of you but definitely better like this.

 

 

Good luck, everyone!