Unsecure chicken perches

[Carrot]

We introduced 2 new girls (Rosie, White Sussex + Bianca, White Star) to our existing ladies (Lola, Miss Pepperpot + Vanessa, Gingernut Ranger) on Saturday. We let the old girls free range and gave the new girls the run of the Eglu which seemed to settle them down quickly. We then sectioned the run off with canes, put separate feeding and water stations in and kept them separate. At 9pm I popped them all into bed together and it seemed to work well. Yesterday we let them free range a bit all together- they are all fine except Lola pecks at Rosie whenever she gets close. Rosie is mainly keeping her distance. Bianca, Rosie and Vanessa are happy with each other and don't peck anyone, the only pecker is Lola.

 

Last night we popped them in to sleep together and they seemed to settle but at 4am woke us up scuffling and squawking so we separated them again. We are at work now and have left them separated into 2 new + 2 old. Are we doing it right, do you think? I'd appreciate any advice from anyone who's successfully integrated new girls.

 

Would you separate Lola (the bully) out on her own or just keep doing what we're doing? What about the fighting overnight, does this sound like we need to separate them at night too? Grateful for any thoughts!

[richardr]

Hi Carol,

Sounds like you are doing it right.

I'd continue to leave them separated by day.

 

We did something similar, using canes half way down the run, with food and water at each end.

After three days, I rigged up a temporary house in the newbies half as I got fed up with the 4am shift sorting out their squabbles.

They free ranged together each day and we also switched which pair went to which end every few days to try to discourage 'ownership'. We removed the canes in the run after about a month.

 

They are still two distinct pairs, but on the whole its peaceful.

 

The old pair are clearly in charge and Giselle, top of the pecking order will peck at the newbies whenever they are where she wants to be. This is exacerbated by Edinburgh(bottom of the pecking order) being frightened of her own shadow and trying to sprint past whenever in close proximity to either of the old pair. This tends to provoke Giselle into lunging at her.

 

The only exception was one day early last week when they were returned to the run after several hours free ranging.

Usually they dust bathe and relax after that, but on this occasion, they flew at each other. Initially, it was the old pair fighting with each other(never seen before or since). Then, 2nd flew at 3rd in pecking order and so on. I stepped in with the water pistol, but they seemed intent on s"Ooops, word censored!"ping.

Next day it was as if nothing had happened. We can't see that there has been any change in pecking order, so have no idea what prompted it.

 

I'd keep doing what you're doing. It's still early days.

The other thing we did was after free ranging, sprinkle some treats either side of the canes so that they can eat them in close proximity, but not get at each other.

 

Good luck, sound like you have very lucky hens whos 'Mum' cares about their welfare.

[sjp]

I had a move around on Sunday move to of last years pulletts into with the older girls and Boris (house1)and moved the 4 from Febuary in with the rest of last years girls (house2) there's been a few hand bags drawn but other than the one of last years girls in house to have a new feather beed pulled out resulting in a little blood house one is going ok and of cause Boris now has at least one very willing addition to his house

house 2 one of the older girls expressed her displeasure for a couple of days by makeing a fair bit of noise but thats all no blood drawn so I'm happy but I expect trouble in the next week or so as the youngster find their feet

as for your bully as long as no blood is drawn then hold off a bit longer removing her unless it gets relentless then put her on her own for a couple of days

I mush prefer free ranging for a length of time in this case 18 weeks the moving them in full time that way they all have to get used to each other in one go.but I know I have one hen that will be trouble but she's a #itch any way

[Carrot]

Hi both, thank you so much for your replies. Unfortunately the bullying got worse every day- we kept the bully separated but she spent all her time trying to get through the canes to the Sussex she was intent on beating up, and was very unhappy at being on her own. We let them free range together (supervised) and the bully pinned down the victim and pecked relentlessly at her head. I know a bit of scuffling is normal but we had 4 unhappy chickens and were exhausted with the early hours separating and supervision. We made the tough decision to rehome Lola the bully and she's gone to a lovely new home with a large flock where she won't get away with any bullying. I miss her but I now have a very happy little flock of 3 and the new girls have settled in beautifully. I know if I'd persevered I may have had success in the end but it was horrible to see all 4 of them unhappy.

 

Richard I also have a "scared of her own shadow" bird which probably didn't help- she's very fast on her feet which entertains the children endlessly when they watch me chasing her round the garden every evening...

[sjp]

sounds like you did the right thing in rehomeing the bully