Reintegration by supervised visits ?

[Mrs. K]

Generally, kind of sorta, if they are getting along when you are watching them, they are when you are not. But that is not 100%. Hence, people come back and there is a mess, or a war going on.

Space is crucial and so are hideouts. Introducing a single bird is very difficult, it is better to add in pairs or more. You can create a pair by pulling one of the flock and adding it to the new comer. They will fight and squabble too, but it is one on one, not a flock on one. Once they get over it, you can add the pair back to the flock. The flock will have forgotten its member so it is like adding two new birds. There will be squabbling, but it is spread out over two, and that helps.

Again, it is best to have escapes, and space.

Mrs K

 

[sunflour]

@Mrs. K

Thanks for input.

Chicken behavior fascinates me and always trying to learn more about it.

In my small flock have only had minor conflicts unless the victim is ill, but it seems they interact the same way with or without the human presence. And the anticipation of treats can trigger conflicts.

Out of many posts on the subject, only ever read one report of success with supervised re-integration of a previously established member of the flock.

 

[sunflour]

We did that with Scout, sunflour. He was the little roo chick that suffered frostbite on his toes when he was just a couple of weeks old and had to be brought it for treatment. We had him in the house for about 3 weeks, but we took him out regularly for "supervised" visits with the flock and watched him carefully. The first time we had to bring him in, he was less than 24 hours old but he'd gotten out from under Mama Agatha and when I found him he looked totally dead. I brought him in, set up the brooder, and warmed him. Within a couple of hours we put him back under Agatha. She accepted him back and all was fine until he got his feet frozen at the waterer.

When we did the the supervised visits, we took him out to the run and set him down. The first couple of times, Agatha was glad to see him and took over where she left off, defending him, leading him to food, but she wouldn't cover him. We'd leave him out until he'd start picking up his feet and tucking them under him, then he came back in. We did this for a week or so - taking him out, daily,seeing that he was able to feed and drink, then leaving him alone with them mingling with the flock (with no help from Agatha). Once the Bigs had their curiosity satisfied and reminded him of his "boundaries" he was free to roam all over out there. Then we set his brooder up out in the coop with the door propped open just enough for him to get in and out. He was rarely in it, though. He was usually out in the run and the coop with all of the others. I do believe in supervised visits.

Thanks so much for sharing your experience and especially the video, such a cutie.

For my gals I think the key to supervised reentry attempts would be to avoid any treats during visits. All are so much calmer then.

 

[sunflour]

IF you can, I suggest you let her out in the coop/run and lock the other 3 up. do that for a half day or so, you'll see when she has her bearings. Then let one other out with her, hopefully the most passive till they are ok. Maybe a day. Then let one more out...on and on. Couple feeders and waterers far apart, maybe some alfalfa leaves to munch...
I'm no expert, but that's the way I introudce the younger newbies, after barrier meet and greet, it's worked very well for me. Hope it works for you.

@Mutt Farm , thanks for input.

The hardest thing to accept is the vigor of the discord. These gals, now 2 1/2 have grown up together and original pecking order was funny and simple stare offs. At this age, the conflicts are vigorous and look like they would turn into roo fights without intervention. The lower ranking 2 are my problem. Will figure a way to divide the run and try a one on one mingle.

 

[sunflour]

Another update:

Added an outdoor additional run area, let the 3 free hens out this afternoon. Opened Penny's "run cage", and let her come out on her own. Had 2 minor skirmishes between Penny and the lower 2 in the order - each was only 1 on 1 conflicts. Quite interesting that #1 Hen seemed to intervene in the 2 conflicts. Penny retreated to her cage after the second skirmish. At this point am more optimistic, planning to try this over and over until success.

 

[sunflour]

1 month update:

Penny is still in the dog crate. Attempts at reintroduction have been foiled by Lillie - low in the pecking order, but the only one posing a problem. Added a second small dog crate to the run today and placed Lillie - AKA bully BO in that crate. Let Penny out and she and my 2 BR hens got along fine - only let them visit for about 30 minutes with mealie worms and seeds to scavenge.

Will continue to shut up the bully in the afternoon visitation times until I am sure Penny and BR's are getting well along and Lillie shows no animosity towards her.

 

[Mutt Farm]

1 month update:

Penny is still in the dog crate. Attempts at reintroduction have been foiled by Lillie - low in the pecking order, but the only one posing a problem. Added a second small dog crate to the run today and placed Lillie - AKA bully BO in that crate. Let Penny out and she and my 2 BR hens got along fine - only let them visit for about 30 minutes with mealie worms and seeds to scavenge.

Will continue to shut up the bully in the afternoon visitation times until I am sure Penny and BR's are getting well along and Lillie shows no animosity towards her.

sunflour, This update is fascinating to me. The low Lillie BO was the problem? Thank you so much for being so gracious in your reply to my suggestions. I shared my suggestions without looking to the left and realizing that this isn't your first rodeo. Me thinks I'm too "Talk-A-Lot on BYC. I'm an animal behaviorist/trainer by trade so I tend to take the clinical textbook approaches. I'm quite intrigued as to how this plays out. That said, A squirt bottle is my friend and a great training tool for me to discourage unwanted or aggressive behaviors . Thank you for posting the updates.

 

[sunflour]

@Mutt Farm , Penny asked me to thank you so much for the squirt bottle advice, it's magic. With Bully locked up, let Penny out with the 2 BR's for over 30 minutes. Road Runner, BR, tried twice to start something and one squirt each time settled her down IMMEDIATELY…after that, the 3 of them were inches apart enjoying mealie worms and seed treats...

My current plan is to continue with los tres amigas until there's no discord and then try letting Lillie AKA Bullie join the afternoon visitations.

Again, thanks so much for your interest and input.

 

[Mutt Farm]

Well yes! Those badges are an honor! I was like

for even adding my 2 cents.
I think an article on integrating or re-integrating an adult(s) would be quite helpful. I noticed over the summer so many people that had isolated a bird for illness/injury or gotten a new adult were having an awful time. There wasn't much out there. Like you said, the thread just seemed to stop.
I'm pretty obsessed with understanding and studying animal behavior and training. It is quite fascinating to me. I'm fortunate to have been able to work at something I love. I'm semi-retired now, which is I was able to get my own chickens. I train service dogs to help with daily tasks for folks in wheelchairs and do private training for dog behavior issues. I love what I do.
I was intrigued that Lillie, the subordinate BO, breed known for being docile, was the problem!

I truly hope you keep the updates coming.
Trick to the squirt bottle is surprise and distance. Stealth squirt rather than run up and squirt. If they are met with an unpleasant consequence out of nowhere, "Every time I chase, charge, peck X it rains like heck in my face", they stop.
You can train your chickens! Check this out! I went to 2 of her seminars. Crazy fun stuff right here!

http://drsophiayin.com/videos/entry/sophias_trained_chickens
Thank you again.

 

[Mutt Farm]

@Mutt Farm , Penny asked me to thank you so much for the squirt bottle advice, it's magic. With Bully locked up, let Penny out with the 2 BR's for over 30 minutes. Road Runner, BR, tried twice to start something and one squirt each time settled her down IMMEDIATELY…after that, the 3 of them were inches apart enjoying mealie worms and seed treats...

My current plan is to continue with los tres amigas until there's no discord and then try letting Lillie AKA Bullie join the afternoon visitations.

Again, thanks so much for your interest and input.

Oh my! TY! I hadn't seen your reply before I reposted. I'm so glad Penny was kickin it with her besties!