Help- My Girls Are Aggressive!

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austintxchick

austintxchick

Chirping
5 Years
May 25, 2014
108
5
61
I raised 3 chicks and they are now about 13 weeks old. I had to trade one of the chicks in because he turned out to be a roo and I can't have roos in my neighborhood. SO, the new girl is a bit younger and a bit smaller. I have been trying to introduce them slowly over the past week and every time I let her in there with my two mean girls, they immediately go after her and peck her viciously and endlessly. I then take her back out. I'm afraid they will kill her! I've tried having her in there with barriers between them but still, when I remove the barrier, immediate attack.

How can I get them introduced without them pecking her to death?

**Title edited by Staff**
 
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I would suggest caging her in the coop for a few days even a week so that they can see each other. When you do release her, it will be old news so to speak. When you release her, make sure there are plenty of escape paths such as things to fly up to, barriers, places to get behind etc. Crossing my fingers for you! Its always hard introducing a solo chicken to an established group./
 
I agree. She's going to need to be separated for a while. Like a "see not touch" sort of deal. After a while try introducing her at night. When everyone is settled and it's plenty dark try sticking the new pullet in there.
 
Your birds are perfectly normal birds. You're just trying to rush things too much. Don't try to force integration. House the new bird in a "look but don't touch" manner for a good 2 weeks. Then, take the more aggressive of your first two, and put that bird where the new pullet has been, moving the new pullet with the least aggressive older bird. This will disrupt the dynamic of the older birds ganging up on the little. Keep them that way for a week or so and then try letting the third bird out. If it doesn't work, put her back for another week and try again.

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I know it's normal bird behavior,but it's not fun for mama! I feel like I'm watching Mean Girls - The Chicken Files.

They're also lunging at my daughter and I when we stick our hands in there. Unfortunately, the coop isn't tall enough for us to walk in. I wish I had made the coop/run taller and bigger. Hindsight.
he.gif



So, as for the new girl, I have had her in there during the day in their coop section where they could see her but not get to her (hardware cloth in between.) I guess I need to buy a small cage and just put it next to the run, or should I put it IN the run? My run is pretty small so I'm not sure it will fit.

She is watching me type this.



.
 
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That's way small! I have more sq. ft. per bird in the coop, and more in the run. More time, more space, and patience will work things out. Some birds and some breeds are more aggressive than others too. Mary
 
I agree...it's a long process to transition chicks. I have mine out in a separate small coop next to the big coop. They can talk and see each other but no contact. I'll do this for about 4 weeks and then add the chicks in at night. Add some extra treats or hang some broccoli so they can be entertained for awhile! Good luck!
 
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