chickfret Posted August 11, 2007 Share Posted August 11, 2007 One of my chickens has died and ive intrduced a new one. the old one keeps attacking it what can i do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted August 11, 2007 Share Posted August 11, 2007 (edited) Chickfret, I'm moving this thread to Chickens as Chicken FAQ is used more as a kind of reference library and there's not much chat goes on in there, you're more likely to get more responses in Chickens Loads of us have been through this pecking order nastiness, and it is horrible to watch, but sadly it seems to be an almost inevitable part of introducing a new chicken. Hopefully if your new chicken is nice and submissive the original hen can assert her dominance quickly and it'll all be over in a few days, but it can be a very difficult few days for the owner and the new chicken . Generally the advice is to seperate them a bit at first so that they can see each oher but not reach other, all manner of temporary pens have been constructed using chicken wire and bean canes, to help this. Then start introducing them to each other at night so that they sleep together, less fighting when they're sleepy , but remove the new girl in the morning. When they seem to be settling down together a little remove the protective barricade, but do provide loads of food and water points, if there's only one the dominant hen will sometimes prevent the new girl getting to it. Do check that the new girl isn't getting too badly hurt, if she's really being attacked, especially if blood is drawn she'll need removing until the wound are healed. Lesley Jean started a nice thread about introducing her new hen here, might be worth a read for ideas, although her husband built her a brilliant coop, which was a lot more sophisticated than the temporary structures most of us improvised with. There are a few threads documenting others experiences on here, might be worth reading through some of them as there's some good advice on there. Good luck though, it's a tough experience, but they do settle down and live happily ever after quite quickly, they're sociable creatures who like company. Edited August 11, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJuff Posted August 11, 2007 Share Posted August 11, 2007 Have you introduced them together gradually? Separate them for a week if you can so that they can see each other and get used to the idea. Then allow them to sleep together by introducing the newbie when the other hen is drowsy and separate again in the morning. After another week it's time to throw them in together and let them get on with it. once the pecking order is established all should be ok. I would only interviene if blood is drawn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickfret Posted August 12, 2007 Author Share Posted August 12, 2007 Thanks for advice. I am separating them during the day and letting them sleep together at night as suggested. Its just not nice to see her being pecked as she is such a lovely chicken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
