Chicken bald back

[Luvachicken]

Some of you may know that Myrtle and Melody got separated from the little pekins because of their behaviour.

Then at the beginning of the summer holidays Melody died leaving Myrtle alone but right next to the pekins, only separated by wire.

For the last week or so Myrtle has started pacing up and down right next to the others. She doesn't do it all day long but it is noticeable.

 

The other day I went in to give them all some treats and some how Suzie got through the door and shared the treats with Myrtle. They just looked at each other and shared nicely.

The following day, we were fixing the acorn peppered roof , but this time Myrtle got through the door into the run of the others. They didn't seem to mind too much but poor little Gemma kind of looked at her like "aagghh, what are you doing in here ?"

 

I really don't know what to do for the best.

Queenie and Suzie still haven't got all of their neck feathers back yet from the constant attacks, and the four littlies do all seem to get on well. If I put Myrtle back into the mix I am so worried the attacks will happen again - although Myrtle wasn't the instigator, and the peace I have at the moment is nice.

If I get Myrtle a friend will she get on with her ? I would be very stuck if she didn't as I have no space for yet another house or anything. Or would I be best trying to rehome her ? Or the option I have at the moment - leaving her so she can see the others, but then hubby said maybe seeing the others is what's causing the problem.

 

Any ideas ?

xx

[paulad]

could you do a very very slow reintroduction while ur around to monitor ??

 

i know how hard it is as im just doing my first intro and its not nice to watch

 

i dont enough to offer more advice but lots of luck x

[Patricia W]

You may find the dynamics between them have all changed now she is a lone one. She may feel more vulnerable. So it's worth trying again.

[gavclojak]

OMG this into business fill's me with horror...I don't think I can face it....I was thinking of getting a few more rescue girls' but it all sounds absolutely horrific.....I think the stress would finish me off

[paulad]

haha gavclojak its not nice to watch i can tell u - i will be home in an hour and im dreading going down to the run !!!

 

dont let it put u off getting more though. im soo pleased we got our 3 newbies - u just have to be prepared !

[Luvachicken]

I agree with Paula that it is not nice to watch, which is why I bought a separate house and hubby split the run.

The amount of violence was unimaginable and even though I told my family how bad it was, no one believed me until they saw it for themselves.

 

On a happier note, she can't be feeling too bad as she laid an egg today - the first one since the thunderstorm

[Luvachicken]

I have just been out to see what they are up to - I cleaned them out earlier and shut the pekins in the cube run whilst Myrtle had the rest.

Poor Gemma was quite restless at seeing Myrtle up so close. She kept making an odd noise and jumping up at Myrtle through the cube/run door.

I think Gemma has decided for me what should happen, and that is to keep them separate.

 

Why does everything seem so hard at the moment ?

[redsunset]

I guess it's a tough one. Chickens like to be together as they are such sociable birds, and the big girl wants to be 'part of the flock'...but..? Only you know your own chickens, and she may settle down with a few skirmishes but then again may bully the littlies? Little at a time, and then maybe? Or maybe not. Maybe now as a period of time has passed, she will be happy to be part of the gang as long as she can assert herself a little now and then? I have two, 2 yr old Isa browns who patrol in a pair and take it upon themselves to jump on a hens back while the other pecks her head (tells her her place) and they accept it and submit. No major injuries, just a bruised ego and a hen who then goes off ruffling her feathers and saying 'that was a bit much'!!!

[Luvachicken]

Yes redsunset it is a tough one, especially as Myrtle is twice the size of the pekins.

Their attacks were brutal and often drew blood. One day, Queenie and Gemma suffered blows to the head that needed sorting out with the purple spray and pressure applied.

I don't know if I could put them through all that again.

 

I think the best thing for now would be to make the screen a bit higher so she cannot see the others, and maybe get her a friend.

[Patricia W]

Read the sticky about introductions. If you are patient and don't rush it, it can be painless. There have been cases where serious damage has been caused by too hasty introductions. You do need additional accommodation though and contingency plans in place in case it doesn't work. I have learned the hard way, that some groupings just don't work - hence I have two flocks. Luckily I have the space to allow it.

[paulad]

luvachicken - you do whats right for you and your girls - you know them and are obviously very worried. Keep them seperate if that feels right.

 

I too have had a hard time being a chicken keeper and we only started in June but I have learnt alot and wouldnt be without them xx you will have good times again with less stress im sure.....

[libby22]

I agree - it totally varies from chicken to chicken. I added two ex battery hens to my existing two girls - separated the pen so they lived side by side for three weeks. I covered the divide and every day, uncovered a little more. After 10 days, they were eating treats at the same time, dust baths at the same time, you name it. Three and a half weeks later, I did brief intros and it went well for a few days and then it went horribly wrong. The two existing girls attacked one of the newbies - who wasn't up for the fight bless her - it was awful. I sat in the run with them to control things a little and it made no difference. After a short time, I had to grab her and run as they had her pinned down and she was screaming - feathers flying and two of them attacking - just awful. As a result, she ended up in a run alongside the girls on her own, but would hide in the house if she could see them. I covered the divide, but they would shout and she would hide and refuse to eat. It went on and on until I moved her into her own walk in run about 15 feet away and blocked her view from them. She just loved it but would freeze if she could hear them, but with time that went. We ensured she had company as there is someone at home all day and she was getting a visit every hour, but she wasn't really bothered either way! She kept herself busy. A year later - ie this Saturday - I moved her walk in run alongside the other girls, as I felt it was time she had company and still they hate her!! She however, isn't bothered by them in the least so the arrangement stays. It really does seem to be the luck of the draw - bit like people - if there is a personality clash, you can't do much and it can take a long time to sort. The two pens have been wonderful and have answered the problems. My heart goes out to you at the moment, but for all the trouble - it does pass and they do bring so much happiness once it is all sorted. Good luck and keep us updated.

[Luvachicken]

When I first introduced the pekins to the 2 wyandottes, actually this time last year, it went really well.

They all got on extremely well from the start and I even boasted on here how well they were doing.

Then it seemed to get to Spring and everything changed.

Myrtle and Melody became the birds from hell.

At first we decided to let them get on with it, but it was obvious things were getting much worse, to the extent that the wyandottes would literally throw the pekins down the ladder. It was horrible to watch.

Hence buying the Go in June and separating the run.

I think the pekins went through enough and Myrtle has made her own fate by showing her true colours next to Gemma the other day.

 

Libby22, thanks for your post, it made me realise I am not the only one and that chickens can survive by themselves.

[libby22]

I am glad if I have been of any help.

 

Everyone who sees Bonnie starts off with - why is she on her own - then they spend a bit of time with her and she chats away and then wonders off digging and sunbathing etc and they can see she is very happy. She looked like she had been at the bottom of the pecking order when we had her and was in a terrible state - she was almost black as clearly she hadn't been able to have a dust bath and it looked like it was simply through fear. Her neck muscles were weak as she just constantly ducked and hid, she was underweight, covered in mites and seemed to have given in. All of that went out of the window once she was on her own! Her first dust bath lasted 2 hours! She even crows each morning to let us know she is in charge of her pen!

 

Sometimes the competition is too fierce for the odd little one here and there and to have some space and the fear taken away gives them a whole new lease of life. I wish you well and am sure you will get this all settled soon.