Aggressive New Chicken

[LGBeastie]

Hi all: long time reader, first-time poster. I need advice about introducing a grown chicken to a pre-existing flock. My girls (4 of them) are the sweetest, and very tight. Recently there was a neighbor who moved away and left her chickens to the wild--grr. Only one survived, and when another neighbor discovered her (she's a barred plymouth rock) they called me and asked if I'd take her. She appeared healthy and quite friendly, so I agreed. I was worried that my girls might give her some trouble since they were so established, but I was wrong. It turns out that SHE is bringing the trouble. She's singled out my two smaller girls and is beating the crud out of them! She has some really mean spurs and one of my girls has been left bloody twice. She is otherwise quite friendly to me and the two larger chickens, and a great layer, but I'm not sure if I should keep her as I don't want my girls to suffer a serious injury. We've had her for 3 days now. Will this aggression subside once the pecking order is re-established? If I should get rid of her, what do I do with her? I can't give her to someone else who has chickens as she might hurt them too. But I don't want her to be abandoned. Any advice would be much appreciated!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi there welcome to BYC!

There are many ways to curb aggression of new comers. Rocks are some of my favorite, but people friendly and bird dominant. They usually head my flock... but I won't keep bullies, so only if they rule with a firm but not relentless, iron beak. Mine currently crows and no longer lays eggs, but no spurs so far. She's firm but gentile about maintaining order.

Ugh, good riddance to your crappy neighbors! Hopefully the next ones will be more responsible than that.

You might start by putting her in a look but don't touch set up like a dog kennel in the run. This will protect your other hens and let them work it out a bit through the fence.

Provide extra feeders during integration. And lots of visual breaks, like a lawn chair on it's side or bales of hay, whatever you've got space for that will interrupt the direct line of sight. Try to make sure they can get away and not stuck in corners. Lots of space.

When all else fails there is a product called peepers that works well for some people.

Ever heard the best defense is good offense... it's true. Chances are she's taking on the weakest links first. Yes, this should blow over quickly once they get a chance to settle down. But if it doesn't, re-homing with disclosure is a good choice. I'm not personally above sending a hen to freezer camp (or letting someone else, in your case) regardless of laying ability. Attitude comes first in my flock and hens don't get a free pass. It's a humane alternative to starving or predation IMO. Each flock has its' own dynamics... so she may reign holy terror at your place and not another. It's really hard to say.

It was kind of you to take her in! I would try to give her a chance, but you should definitely think of your own flock first. Last possibility might be the county animal shelter or another rescue type place.

You also might be able to dull the rocks' spurs with a nail file. Handling after dark with a flash light is often an easier time.

 

[LGBeastie]

Thank you so much for your wisdom. What I've been doing is keeping them separate when I'm not there to supervise. My girls stay in their coop/run and and the Rock (as we call her) stays outside the coop in my fenced yard. They can look but not touch. I haven't let her spend the night with them yet, not has she wanted to. She roosts in our plum tree next to the coop quite happily. During the day, I let them all out to free range in the yard. That's when the fights happen. I hope I don't have to get rid of her, but you're right. My girls' safety comes first!

 

[Mrs. K]

Get the pin-less peepers. Will work perfectly.

 

[aart]

My girls stay in their coop/run and and the Rock (as we call her) stays outside the coop in my fenced yard.

Might try putting the newbie in the coop/run while the others range.