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So after our sad day, I went to purchase two new chickens, another Spekeldy and a cuckoo Maran. We have them kind of separated on the inside run, where my other 5 like the outdoor one. I have put a small perch for the newbies to roost on in the undercover outside area but my two columbian Blacktails seem to bully and chase the new ones. Is there anything I can do to assist the integration? It's been just over a week now but don't want to remove the new perch before they are ready to get along!
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In my case when I introduced two new hens I gave up waiting till they all got along, they have to learn to live together as a group. The other three went on bullying for a while then it just fizzled out, they all get along well now. I must admit, I was scolding the two bullies, as though they could understand every word I said!The best things in life are not things. -
Howm many originals do you have?
And how old/big are they compared to the new girls?
And how much space do they all have?
Its a bit of a balancing act to be honest.
A gang of big girls, in a smallish space can literally kill two young pullets.
A few medium sized hens, in a large area with hidey places and lots of food/water stations will sort things out with a pair of well grown point of lays.
You need to decide where your set up fits on that scale.
When you do let them all run together, its a good idea to do it on a day when you are there and the weather is nice for you to stay out there. Pull up a chair and sit, armed with a water pistol, as referee....just to be sure. Keep the seperate run in place for a while to give the new girls some respite or to 'naughty corner' any really persistent bully.
I generally find that the docile bird at the bottom of the pecking order turns out to be the vicious...watch that one.Comment
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I have 5 originals and then 2 newbies. They are similar sizes as I only have had the originals 3 months before we lost one. They have a 2x1.5 covered inside area and a 24m2 outside run (and then a covered inside area where the best boxes are.
They have access to each other now but for some reason are staying away from each other until one of the Columbians comes inside for food and water (food and water also outside). I'm a teacher so currently enjoying a good 6 week holiday do will sit, water pistol I hand one day the week. I'll remove the additional roost bar so they have to mingle!Comment
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