Unsecure chicken perches

[kissinuk]

Bought a Copper Black and Coucou from Heidis Happy Hens today to go with our now lonely Amber. I had everying ready for the introductions (separate small run) but got some interesting advice from the staff first. Basically they said as we are introducing 3 unfamiliar chickens together we would only make it worse by separating the 2 newbies as essentially we are doing a 1-1-1 introduction. They did say if we had 2 or more existing or the 2 newbies already lived together then we would need to separate first but when all 3 don't know each other it's best to let them get on with it.

 

First time I'd heard such advice but it does make sense, so they are now all in the run together. Will be monitoring closely though...!

 

Update: Amber & Coucou are getting on great, Copper-Black has been chased a few times by the Amber and is now hiding in eglu, she's definitely bottom of the pecking order so far!

Edited June 3, 2012 by Guest

[heth1986]

Congrats on you new girls and good luck with the intros!

 

I had a lonely chook and introduced 2:1, I put them in straight away and after one quick squabble (promptly ended with a water pistol) they've got along great ever since!

 

Glad to hear that yours are getting along, will await the pics!

[kissinuk]

Here you go, the newbies hiding in the eglu!

 

 

[Luvachicken]

Awww, they look lovely.

I hope the intros continue to go well.

[kissinuk]

Okay, so the Amber and the Coucou are getting on great, no issues whatsoever. However the Copper Black is constantly getting chased back into the eglu all day long by the Amber, pecking her on the back of the neck whenever she gets chance (anti-peck spray has been used). No feathers missing or blood drawn yet

 

I know this is normal to sort our the pecking order, but how long should it go on for? Is it likely to settle down after a while? I feel really sorry for the copper black, she has a great temperament and is eating out of my hand already!

 

Letting then free-range helps as it gives her chance to leave the eglu, get some food and have a wonder around, but this is only really practical for a couple of hours a day.

 

Nighttime is fine, they all squeeze into the nesting box

 

[Gelbel]

That Black Rock is a beauty!

 

I put 4 in with 1 and no problems. The 1 was a bit put out but could not do much damage as there was 4 to boss about. She just ran at them for a day or two.

 

Of the 4, they were bred by breed and kept separate in big flocks so I introduced them in the boxes I brought them home in. They were so young and scared they became best mates in seconds when the 1 spied them all!