Hi,
Four days ago I introduced two new ex battery chicks to my existing two hens. I was expecting bullying as its happened every time I've introduced new girls to the flock over the years. However, this time one of the newbies is getting really bullied and now spends all of her time up on the coop roof, so to be out of the way of the bullies. She's not eating but I have seen her drink when I blocked bullies in second part of run. She's so timid and stressed by other chickens who are really attacking her. There's no blood drawn at the moment. My run has two parts and I've put food and water in both parts. The parts are divided by a wire mesh wall.
Today I've decided to put two oldies (bullies) in one section and two newbies in other section. They can all see each other still. Both have food/water/cabbage/mealworm treat and nest box to lay eggs if needed. Is this the right thing to do? I put brownie (bullied chick) on the floor with her fellow newbie and encouraged her to eat. She pecked a little at the cabbage and began scratching about which is a major improvement. I watched her for a while and she seams to be relaxing a bit. I'm worried that when I open the partition again the bullying will be worse. My hope is that if that's the case at least brownie would have had chance to eat/drink/rest/relax a bit and maybe could withstand more bullying. I intend to open partition at bedtime so all chicks can take themselves to bed (although I'm still training newbies to do this, as understandably they're reluctant to cosy up to bullies). When it's dark they call a truce and just all go to sleep and I don't shut them in as it's warm and need newbies to be able to escape if needed.
If anyone has any ideas or suggestions on what I've done or what I could do I would appreciate it, as brownie is such a lovely affectionate girl who jumps on my lap for cuddles and I'm concerned for her future. Many thanks in advance.
Four days ago I introduced two new ex battery chicks to my existing two hens. I was expecting bullying as its happened every time I've introduced new girls to the flock over the years. However, this time one of the newbies is getting really bullied and now spends all of her time up on the coop roof, so to be out of the way of the bullies. She's not eating but I have seen her drink when I blocked bullies in second part of run. She's so timid and stressed by other chickens who are really attacking her. There's no blood drawn at the moment. My run has two parts and I've put food and water in both parts. The parts are divided by a wire mesh wall.
Today I've decided to put two oldies (bullies) in one section and two newbies in other section. They can all see each other still. Both have food/water/cabbage/mealworm treat and nest box to lay eggs if needed. Is this the right thing to do? I put brownie (bullied chick) on the floor with her fellow newbie and encouraged her to eat. She pecked a little at the cabbage and began scratching about which is a major improvement. I watched her for a while and she seams to be relaxing a bit. I'm worried that when I open the partition again the bullying will be worse. My hope is that if that's the case at least brownie would have had chance to eat/drink/rest/relax a bit and maybe could withstand more bullying. I intend to open partition at bedtime so all chicks can take themselves to bed (although I'm still training newbies to do this, as understandably they're reluctant to cosy up to bullies). When it's dark they call a truce and just all go to sleep and I don't shut them in as it's warm and need newbies to be able to escape if needed.
If anyone has any ideas or suggestions on what I've done or what I could do I would appreciate it, as brownie is such a lovely affectionate girl who jumps on my lap for cuddles and I'm concerned for her future. Many thanks in advance.
