Chicken bald back

[CheekyPekins]

I'm not sure whether I'm worrying over nothing - I got 2 new girls just over 3 weeks ago, a Sablepoot and a speckled Sussex. I got them together from the same breeder.

 

They had a sectioned off half of the WIR for the first week, then were allowed to free range with my existing 4 hens for a week and a bit before I removed the panel in the run. There haven't been any huge fights or anything but I've noticed that Honey (Sablepoot) is often on her own in the garden. Iris, the Sussex, free ranges alongside my big girls reasonably well (legging it when required!) but Honey seems to be keeping to herself. Honey and Iris get on fine together and go to bed in the same coop, but Iris seems to want to hang out with the big girls when free ranging and Honey's on her own.

 

Now... am I worrying about nothing? My hubby has suggested putting the 2 girls in the WIR together in the day while the big girls are free-ranging for the next week to try and buddy Honey and Iris up again, then re-introducing as a pair again to the 4 others, but I'm not sure whether that would help or make things worse?

[jackian]

I have one girl Rosie who is mostly on her own and she seems to be OK . We have had her nearly two years and although she will mix with the others now she is usually on the edge .My OH says it is like in the school playground when there is always a pupil that is shy and on the edge of the gang ,He calls her Rosie no mates and will never be top chick!

I think as long as she is not being bullied by the others she should be OK and probably until she gets used to her new place to stay she is looking after her self .A clever girl!

Your OH's idea is a good one and could work and certainly worth a try .

Let us know how you get on .

[gavclojak]

I had/have a girl who from day 1 was always on peripheral, she was happy but never part of the clique. I had them for six months, you may have read the thread but she was then set about by two who, within yen minutes had pecked her so hard she was bleeding profusely. She was separated and put with the two good girls when healed and within a few days they attacked her. We tried separating her unsuccessfully as she was so unhappy and bumpa bits didn't work so she is now with a fabulous omleteers who is fostering her and seeing if she can gain confidence within her flock.

 

I really am not saying this will happen to you but if I had seen this coming I would have tried to 2/3 separating and and pre-empted the problem. As I say this May never happen but as she was, like yours always on the outside and bless her heart she seemed happy enough with her lot but when they went for her....difficult decisions had to be made for her sake..

 

I am sure this problem is common but has left me traumatised, illness, death I could accept but I am bereft and hope you may be able to stop it in its tracks x

[paulad]

We have a loner and shes fine. She can never b found with the others wheb they r FRing. I would say dont worry and its early days too since u only just got them. Just keep an eye on it.

 

Good luck x

[CheekyPekins]

Thanks for the replies It's made me feel a bit better about the whole thing...

 

We've had an interesting development today - Honey has spent most of the day FR on her own (with the odd cuddle from my OH, who is very taken with her ) but when I went to put them all to bed, I found her in the main coop with the big girls. Iris had gone to bed on her own in the second coop. I've moved Iris into the main coop with the others and left the coop door open but the WIR shut, so that Honey and Iris can nip out first thing in the morning if there's any chicken swearing from my older girls.

 

I'm not sure whether it's a good development or not but I've decided to see what happens and try not to panic - who knew I'd worry this much about chickens?!

[paulad]

I would say it all sounds fine and u should relax abit - we did our first ever intros about a month ago - and (fingers crossed) it all went well and they seem like a happy bunch....Our loner isn't at the bottom of the pecking order I just think she likes her own company. Sounds like ur gang are getting on well xx

[jackian]

Thanks for the replies It's made me feel a bit better about the whole thing...

 

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I'm not sure whether it's a good development or not but I've decided to see what happens and try not to panic - who knew I'd worry this much about chickens?!

Sounds like a step in the right direction to me

I am sure I worry more about my chickens than I ever did about my kids

[CheekyPekins]

Tee hee - it's not just me then!