jeshen Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 My 3 pekins (1 cockerel + 2 hens) have been established as a happy threesome for about eighteen months. A while ago I introduced 2 more young hens. They were in a separate coop to the old ones but both lots could see each other 'through the wire'. When I eventually let them out to free-range, the 2 oldie hens + the cockerel were vile to the new ones. I expected the usual pecking order stuff and that it would all settle down eventually - especially having a cockerel around. But it hasn't - it's got worse. The oldies won't let the young ones into the eglu to roost and Daphne, the top hen, constantly pesters and pecks the new ones, who were very keen to be accepted at first but now run a mile when they see her or the other two. Mr Darcy, the cockerel has turned out to be a wimp, completely under Daphne's thumb -he has become more aggressive towards the new ones, instead of 'taking them under his wing'. And Golda, who was always my gentlest hen, has turned into an old tartar. Someone suggested I sprayed them all with vinegar and put them together in the eglu after dark. I've done that twice and they're all alive in the morning, but then it all starts up again and by evening, Golda and Daphne are guarding the eglu so that Shirley and Sylvia can't get in. Unless I put them in myself, they're not allowed in. Tonight I've removed Daphne to the 'sin'bin'. Help! Chicken psychology is a big challenge! Does anyone have any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted April 25, 2014 Share Posted April 25, 2014 Bit of a problem there Jeshen. My advice would be to take the two established hens out and put the youngsters with the cockerel and give them time to form a flock. Then try introducing them all back. Hopefully the cockerel will then stand his ground. The young hens must be laying to introduce them. Otherwise the cockerel will show no interest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeshen Posted April 25, 2014 Author Share Posted April 25, 2014 Thanks Beantree. I'll try what you suggest this evening and put Golda in the sin-bin with Daphne - leaving the 2 new ones with Mr Darcy. One of the newbies is laying, but not the other. My one concern is that Mr Darcy might go for them. He's been as aggressive as the 2 old girls towards them. I'll keep an eye. Am thinking to keep the oldies separate for about 4 days... Never dreamed that introductions could take more than 3 weeks. Haven't had this problem before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted April 25, 2014 Share Posted April 25, 2014 Important point I omitted to mention Jeshen. When returning the original pair to Mr Darcy's new flock make sure you add them individually. The lowest ranking (Golda) in first and allow him to tread her. He will now have a flock of three. When the old top hen (Daphne) is re-introduced, which may be a few hours or days later) she will be joining what appears to her to be an established flock as an outsider and be less inclined to make waves. Well that's the theory anyway. We have used this method to introduce an immature or new cockerel to an establish flock of hens with a particularly aggressive top hen on several occasions. There was one rather sweet exception worth sharing. We had a very cute young cockerel that we needed to find a home for. The only possibility was with his 'mothers'. The top hen was very aggressive so we didn't hold out much hope of a simple introduction. However by way of testing the water we took the little chap down (who was already quite big) at the age of 5 months and set him down outside the run. He immediately took an interest in these very pretty hens and started making attraction noises and motions to them. Well they all came running over to see this handsome young chap and the top hen fell for him in an instant, making sweet little noises in reply, instead of the usual squawks and screeches. They are still living happily together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted April 25, 2014 Share Posted April 25, 2014 This is a real problem I've been suffering bullying and feather plucking with my gang of pekins.....but I think...dare I say it out loud...getting another cockerel has sorted it (my last resort as I was So sad when I lost my Monty to Marek's over a year ago I didn't want another). But, I have also used nettex anti peck spray (smells awful ) and various other things and it's been a work in progress since my top hen was PTS in jan.(She was even having a go at Mr Max's tail ) Polly is my naughty girl and she has removed most of her sisters tail feathers Also shredded everyone else s!!Keeping a close eye.....it's worse on the days I work as they are in the run, but better when they can free range I'd say decide on a plan and go for it.....but be prepared for a long haul....it's been 4 months for me and I'm not sure it will ever be like my originals which just sorted themselves out and got on I think pekins can be very spiteful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeshen Posted April 26, 2014 Author Share Posted April 26, 2014 Thanks both. Nice story Beantree! Sorry to hear you're having probs too Mimi. I remember when you lost Mr Monty. Well. I found that Golda and Mr D had let Shirley into the eglu last night. However, I did take Golda out and tried putting her in the sin-bin with Daphne, who immediately got very violent and started pecking her on the head. So I quickly took Golda out again and put her back with Mr D. I went out a bit later and found Shirley and Sylvia in the eglu with the other 2!! It's the first night I haven't had to put them in there. This morning Mr D and Golda have gone off together, pretty well ignoring the new ones. I still think your plan of putting Mr D with just the new ones is a good one, Beantree. The trouble is, I've nowhere else to put Golda out of sight and sound - and I don't want to risk putting her in with Daphne again. At least they seem more peaceful this morning. What a palaver! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeshen Posted April 27, 2014 Author Share Posted April 27, 2014 Update: I managed to cobble together a temporary coop/run for Golda, as you suggested Beantree, so Mr Darcy has been left with the 2 newbies. He's been quite distraught! He's somehow worked out that the love-of-his-life, Daphne (who's a big bully) is stuck in the shed up the garden. This morning he had nothing to eat, ignored the newbies and went straight to the top of the run, gazing at the shed and crowing incessantly. This was at 5.30 in the morning!! I've stuck to my guns though and when I threw some corn for him and the newbies just now, it was nice to see them feeding together - he made no attempt to chase them off. If a cockerel can have a miserable expression though, Mr D's got one at the moment! Meanwhile, both Daphne and Golda, in their separate quarters, have started laying again. (They stopped when the new ones arrived.) So things are looking up but it will be interesting to see what happens when I put Golda back in after a few days.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted April 28, 2014 Share Posted April 28, 2014 Something I overlooked Jeshen. Cockerels can pine for their favourite hen for weeks. We've seen that twice. I expected the new hens to distract him somewhat. See how he gets on and rethink if he stays not eating. He certainly needs to bond with the newbies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeshen Posted April 28, 2014 Author Share Posted April 28, 2014 Yes, a good point, Beantree. Mr D has seemed a bit less distraught today, although I didn't actually see him eat, except for a handful of corn, but obviously I wasn't there all the time. We spotted him actually treading Shirley and they seem to have bonded as she now follows him round and doesn't get chased away. Not sure about Sylvia. I wondered whether to introduce Golda back tomorrow or maybe Wednesday, or should I wait longer? She and Daphne seem perfectly happy in their respective coops, which were out on the grass next to each other today. Might it be better to put Golda in the eglu after dark, or would it be better to introduce her during the day at some point? Am v grateful for your voice of experience! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 I'd be sure Mr D has trodden both new hens and is eating with them Jeshen. Then introduce Golda. We introduced during the day so we could see exactly what happened and there were no scuffles in the coop in the morning. Mr D then needs to tread Golda and only then should Daphne go in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeshen Posted May 3, 2014 Author Share Posted May 3, 2014 Hopefully final update: have done as you instructed, Beantree. It's been fun and games. Golda didn't terribly want to go back with the mob and twice got out of the large run (through a place she'd never thought of before!) to go back to her solitary quarters. We persevered, blocked up the tiny exit point and she sort of settled and tolerated the newbies. Today, after ten days of solitary, we introduced Daphne again. Mr D was over the moon, but Daphne played hard to get and shoved him off with her wing! The new ones immediately ran off as soon as they spotted the big bully. However, over the day they all seem to be getting along a bit better. Daphne is virthually ignoring the new ones and if anything, tends to go for Golda who I presume she thinks usurped her place as top chicken while she was away. Daphne is definitely top of them all - including Mr D, who follows her round like a lamb. I'm hoping they'll all go into the eglu tonight with no problems. Otherwise it's back to square one with Daphne! Thanks again, Beantree, for your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 Fingers crossed for you Jeshen. Daphne sounds a real handful (or beak full) for Mr.D, who is supposed to be top of the flock but perhaps isn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millie-Annie Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 I'm sorry but that is so funny. It sounds like a chicken soap opera Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
