A single chook fails to join the flock

[dpetzen]

Hello

This post is a follow-up from my introduction to the forum, where I mentioned the problematic situation with Daisy. I'm sorry it took a few days to post this, but it got a bit busy in the weekend.

Summary: I added four new chooks to my six strong flock, but one of the chooks have failed to integrate. It looks like she's not submitting, so that her position in the pecking order still hasn't been established.

The background is:

I started off with four chooks. I then added 4 chooks to the existing 4 chooks. I had to keep them separated for about a month before I could make them into one flock, but the integration went really well.

I took the same approach with the latest 4 chooks. There were very little fighting in the new group of four chooks. They always went along really well.

The newcomer Tahi took over as top chook from Bruce when I added the new chooks to the main flock. Bruce has gone blind on one eye and I was kind of expecting Tahi to take over.

There was a bit of fighting and pecking, but nothing too bad. I did eventually (after a few days) that Daisy was being chased around and having a really hard time. None of the new chooks attacked her, but most of the old ones did (Hugin, Bruce, Boudie, Cthulhu and Gentle). It got worse and worse to the point where Daisy is attacked within seconds of showing herself.

She now spends the days on top of the roosts or hiding within.

I've noticed that Daisy runs away when she's attacked. She never submits, which I think is why the others keep on attacking her.

Daisy is coping OK. She's happy, healthy and recovering well, but she can't live out-of-reach of the others like this.

So, I'm not sure what to do. The others are now really well integrated, so I don't want to split them up.

I almost gave up on Boudicea in the second batch when she was getting way too aggressive, but I decided against it, kept her and she is now a wonderful chook that I couldn't imagine being without, so I really don't want to give up on Daisy.

Thanks in advance,
Dan

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Integration can take a long time. There's always a bottom bird, I would assume Daisy is bottom bird. Running away is her best option. If she submits and squats down she more than likely would be pecked viciously.

How big is your set up? Do you provide hiding spots, multiple feeding stations, and multiple roosts? All are important for a peaceful flock.

Are these all adult birds?

 

[PetesChicks]

I had the opposite problem. We rescued a hen from a coworker. The chickens belonged to her son, she inherited them when he moved and then lost all but one to a predator. I kept her in a separate coop, but visible to my flock, for about 3 or 4 weeks.

When I tried the integration, she immediately decided she was top chicken and was vicious with my flock. Feathers being pulled, bloody combs, everything. I ended up having to put her back into the separate coop, and she turned into my best behaved girl and best egg layer. When they free range, she ignores the other girls now and goes back to her own coop when it’s time.

 

[dpetzen]

Integration can take a long time. There's always a bottom bird, I would assume Daisy is bottom bird. Running away is her best option. If she submits and squats down she more than likely would be pecked viciously.

How big is your set up? Do you provide hiding spots, multiple feeding stations, and multiple roosts? All are important for a peaceful flock.

Are these all adult birds?

Hello!

Yes, she probably is. I'm no sure what order she had amongst the four she came with before they joined the rest.

I couldn't find any pictures of my set-up; I'll see if I get a chance to take a few pictures tomorrow morning.

There is plenty of space and areas for Daisy to go, but she feels most comfortable on top of the roosts, as some of the other chooks attacks her on sight.

They have two roosts and can chose where they sleep. Daisy, Georgina and Fluffy sleeps together in the old, smaller roost. The roosts are in a shelter that is about 2.5x6 meters. The shelter is in an fenced area that is about 5x15 meters and they have access to this larger area all day.

The chooks are three generations. Their age is a bit of a guess work:
Bruce and Cthulhu: 3 years, 4 months
Boudie, Gentle, Hugin and Munin: 1year, 8 months
Tahi, Georgina, Fluffy and Daisy: 1 year, 6 months

I don't want to separate them, as the others have fully joined the main flock now. I'm a bit at a loss as to what I should do.

Thanks,
Dan

 

[dpetzen]

I had the opposite problem. We rescued a hen from a coworker. The chickens belonged to her son, she inherited them when he moved and then lost all but one to a predator. I kept her in a separate coop, but visible to my flock, for about 3 or 4 weeks.

When I tried the integration, she immediately decided she was top chicken and was vicious with my flock. Feathers being pulled, bloody combs, everything. I ended up having to put her back into the separate coop, and she turned into my best behaved girl and best egg layer. When they free range, she ignores the other girls now and goes back to her own coop when it’s time.

Hi PetesChicks

Very interesting, but worrying, as it sounds like it can be a very prolonged or even permanent situation. I know it's a bit different, but is has the same kind of social mechanisms.

I feel sorry for Daisy as she would be so much better off together with the others. I was hoping they would calm down and gradually treat her better, but I'm not so sure.

Cheers,
Dan

 

[aart]

Might try isolating the worst bullies, see what happens.
How long since you added this newest group?
Are all the hens laying?

Welcome to BYC @dpetzen!
Where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, then it's always there!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Hello!

Yes, she probably is. I'm no sure what order she had amongst the four she came with before they joined the rest.

I couldn't find any pictures of my set-up; I'll see if I get a chance to take a few pictures tomorrow morning.

There is plenty of space and areas for Daisy to go, but she feels most comfortable on top of the roosts, as some of the other chooks attacks her on sight.

They have two roosts and can chose where they sleep. Daisy, Georgina and Fluffy sleeps together in the old, smaller roost. The roosts are in a shelter that is about 2.5x6 meters. The shelter is in an fenced area that is about 5x15 meters and they have access to this larger area all day.

The chooks are three generations. Their age is a bit of a guess work:
Bruce and Cthulhu: 3 years, 4 months
Boudie, Gentle, Hugin and Munin: 1year, 8 months
Tahi, Georgina, Fluffy and Daisy: 1 year, 6 months

I don't want to separate them, as the others have fully joined the main flock now. I'm a bit at a loss as to what I should do.

Thanks,
Dan

I think over time things will settle down. It can a few months to even a year before everyone forgets that some didn't belong. As long as she can keep getting away things are good. I have in the past favored bottom birds by secretly giving them goodies. The next time you add birds Daisy will probably be the first to bully newcomers. It's just the way of the pecking order and the chicken.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

That is very true above,the most sweetest innocent ones of mines have turned into devils Whne it came to introducing a new chicken.

 

[dpetzen]

Might try isolating the worst bullies, see what happens.
How long since you added this newest group?
Are all the hens laying?

Welcome to BYC @dpetzen!
Where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, then it's always there!
View attachment 1486489

Hi!

It'll be difficult to isolate the worst bullies, as it's half the flock.

I rescued the four new ones about 10 weeks ago. I kept the separated for 4-5 weeks before joining them. It worked well to start with, but Daisy started havinf problems a few days after they were all joined.

I get about 4 eggs a day, so I don't think the oldest are laying anymore.

I've updated my profile with location etc.

Cheers,
Dan

 

[dpetzen]

That is very true above,the most sweetest innocent ones of mines have turned into devils Whne it came to introducing a new chicken.

Yes, I was shocked when Gentle (full name: Gentle Giant) gave Daisy (and other chooks) a proper whack from time to time!

Her name is from her size and that she seemed to think she was a person and didn't involve herself in all the chicken business, but that has clearly change