Advice needed on how to reintroduce a rejected bird.

[OmeletMan]

I am going to try to find a friend bird in the flock this afternoon and isolate the abused and friend bird together for a week. I will then introduce them both with hopes they stick together through the reestablishment of the pecking order. It is just going to be hard to confine them both for so long.

I would isolate the bullies, but at this point it is about 1/2 the flock. I would do it if it was just one bully bird, but taking out 4-5 could really mess up the flock dynamic. I want to make as little alterations as possible with the current pecking order as the flock is producing nicely.

The chicks I got still have a couple months of growing before I will feel comfortable putting them in the flock where they will be able to take care of themselves. I know the abused bird was very interested in them when i put them in an pen outside during free range time. I was hoping the place I stopped at for them would have a couple 5/6 month old pullets ready for sale, but they did not. I would have used those birds as friend bird for my little abused hen. I think i am going to troll Craigslist to see if i can find a couple older pullets for sale. I know this equates to chicken math, but adding more to the mix will certainly stir up things in the pecking order and perhaps make for an easier reintroduction for the little abused hen.

 

[blipit007]

I hope it works out. I have no advise, as I am a newbie. But was curious what breed they are? I found your link in the silkie thread, are they all silkies? And another question, where in CT are you, and where did you go to get the new birds?
Good luck,
Kristen

 

[blipit007]

Sorry, forget what I just said... I read 3 silkie threads before going onto the CT thread, therefore, thought your link was from the silkie thread. Still wondering what breed and where you got the new ones from though.

 

[OmeletMan]

I am in Ashford. The breeds are RI reds, barred rock, and golden sex link. The new chicks were purchased this past weekend from Cameron Family Farm in East Haddam.

 

[blipit007]

Ah, I got my silkie from them in April. Hope it all works out for you.

 

[pmessner]

I am in Ashford. The breeds are RI reds, barred rock, and golden sex link. The new chicks were purchased this past weekend from Cameron Family Farm in East Haddam.

What breed is the chicken being ganged up on? and what breed are the instigators.

 

[OmeletMan]

The breed being ganged up on is a Rhode Island Red. She is smaller for her size....

The instigators are a barred rock, another RIR, and a couple golden sex-linked.

They all grew up together. I got them all as day old chicks.

I separated her out and chose a low-on-the-totem barred rock to put with her. They seem to have been fine all day. I am going to keep them together for 3-4 more days before trying to reintroduce them both.

I am also trying to find a couple pullets that are 3-4 months old that I can introduce at the same time. I think an addition combined with the reintroduction would really throw off the balance of the pecking order and hopefully get things back to normal.

 

[iheartnh]

Well, I was going to suggest separating her and at least two other birds she gets along with for a little while, then reintroducing all three. The bullies may not be so brave when they have more than one bird to deal with. If you don't want to try it that way, you could try it the other way. Separate the bullies for a few days or a least a couple of them. Get them out of their comfort zone. The pecking order will likely stay the same when they leave and no new fighting would break out. See if your rejected bird is more accepted and when everything is comfortable, reintroduce the others. When they come back, they may try to re-establish themselves and some fighting may break out, but I don't think it will be directed soley on that one rejected bird. They will be the outsiders wanting in.

x2

 

[blipit007]

Good luck, keep us posted. Hope it works.

 

[OmeletMan]

So far no great news. I had pulled a lesser bird out to be a friend. That went well. Kept them separate for about 4 days. Brought them together on Sunday and the friend was accepted without a problem but the abused bird continued to be chased. I am at a loss. I don't think more separation time will make any difference.