Adding a bird

[Hargett]

Well she (barred rock) escaped her quarantine, and now she has found the food and water. They are being peaceful at the moment. Occasionally one of my Rhode Island Reds will chase her around. I don’t even know what to think. I guess I’m going to let this play out and quarantine again if needed.

 

[Mrs. K]

If she is not being pecked bloody, you are good to go. In looking at your set up, look an knee level, can birds get out of sight of each other? It would help to make more use of the vertical space. Add some roosts, lean a pallet up against the wall, put a pallet up on blocks for a platform they can get under or on top. These things really help.

See the new post I wrote of a cluttered run and add some junk.

But if they are not killing her, you are past the worst of it. A second feed bowl will help every one.

Mrs K

 

[Hargett]

Thank you! That is comforting. My easter eggers seem to be getting friendly with her. The RIR are the ones that still chase her around every once in a while.

View attachment 1854132

 

[Mrs. K]

RIR are an aggressive bird, I have never had trouble with mine, but many on here have posted that they will not give it up.

Pin-less peepers can really help in a situation like that. It blocks the forward vision, so a bird cannot see to chase something. Just another idea.

Mrs K

 

[SarahBC]

RIR are an aggressive bird, I have never had trouble with mine, but many on here have posted that they will not give it up.

Pin-less peepers can really help in a situation like that. It blocks the forward vision, so a bird cannot see to chase something. Just another idea.

Mrs K

I'm joining in on this thread to ask...what are pin-less peepers? I also did what the OP did and thought "what's one more bird" but I got two. I kept them separate for one week (in a cage in the run so they could see but not peck). They have been together in the run now for almost a week and things are going just okay. The two new ones stay together and the other ones stay together. For the most part they all get along but I have 1 sussex and she hates the new ones. She makes it her point to chase them whenever she can. I read an article about adding chickens that suggested putting the evil one (ha ha) in a cage still with the flock and allow the new ones to integrate with the nice ones for a few days. Any thoughts on this? I have food and water at both ends and a roosting bar that the new ones seem to go to whenever they are chased. Thinking of adding a few more things. How do I find your post about adding stuff to the run? Thanks!

 

[aart]

pin-less peepers

pin-less peepers

Thinking of adding a few more things. How do I find your post about adding stuff to the run?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[aart]

This might help:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock.71997/

As might this....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

 

[twendt]

I would only keep the 5 hens you have now in the space you have. Just because you may have 6 hens doesn't mean you SHOULD have 6. Sounds like things are great with your flock, don't push it. In the future, you will find what works, what doesn't and you can add to your flock. Illness and deaths happen, it's the reality of animal keeping. I started with 3 hens, lost one after only 1 year. Not in my plan but it happened. I added more hens and built a bigger coop and run. It's been an interesting 2 years!! I feel my flock and myself have evolved!

 

[twendt]

I have 6 hens in an enclosed garden thats 12ft x 24 ft, plus their coop and run are inside that garden, sometimes, I think that's not enough space!! The coop and run are used for our sub-zero temps here in Wisconsin.