- Aug 17, 2014
- 6
- 2
- 64
Hi Everyone! I am having a huge problem introducing one of my chickens to three new ones.
Back story: I started with three chickens-2 Barred Rocks and 1 Rhode Island. When I was away on vacation a raccoon got into the coop and killed my 2 very sweet Barred Rocks, leaving me with my not-so-sweet RIR.
After fortifying the coop, I got three new middle aged chicks. I've had them for over a month.
I started by keeping them in separate cages so they could look at each other for about two weeks.
After that, I would put them together at night, but continue to separate them during the day.
At this point the chicks are nearly full grown, but I have not been able to get past this stage, because my RIR continues to attack them. When they are all kept together she keeps them locked in the coop where there is not any food or water.
Things are a little better when I free range, but sometime she will chase them into the forest and not let them come out.
Some questions for those with experience in this...
If the chicks get hungry/thirsty enough will they come out of the coop and stand their ground? Or in other words, am I maybe interfering too much??
When I had my original three, the RIR was actually at the bottom of the pecking order. Is there a chance that once some adult hormones kick in, one of the chicks switch from running to standing her ground against RIR?
I have looked around on this sight and think I am tried most of the suggestions on there. Any other insights or ideas you may have will be much appreciated!
Back story: I started with three chickens-2 Barred Rocks and 1 Rhode Island. When I was away on vacation a raccoon got into the coop and killed my 2 very sweet Barred Rocks, leaving me with my not-so-sweet RIR.
After fortifying the coop, I got three new middle aged chicks. I've had them for over a month.
I started by keeping them in separate cages so they could look at each other for about two weeks.
After that, I would put them together at night, but continue to separate them during the day.
At this point the chicks are nearly full grown, but I have not been able to get past this stage, because my RIR continues to attack them. When they are all kept together she keeps them locked in the coop where there is not any food or water.
Things are a little better when I free range, but sometime she will chase them into the forest and not let them come out.
Some questions for those with experience in this...
If the chicks get hungry/thirsty enough will they come out of the coop and stand their ground? Or in other words, am I maybe interfering too much??
When I had my original three, the RIR was actually at the bottom of the pecking order. Is there a chance that once some adult hormones kick in, one of the chicks switch from running to standing her ground against RIR?
I have looked around on this sight and think I am tried most of the suggestions on there. Any other insights or ideas you may have will be much appreciated!