Bullying, Mixed breeds, integrating newbies HELP!

[HerbsAndSpice]

Hi Friends!

We’ve had our original three chickens since they hatched in April. All came from the same hatch, but are a “barnyard mix” — “Pecker” (named by my three-year-old! ) resembles a Columbian Wyandotte (or maybe a Brahma but without feathered feet), “Pepper” resembles a Black Australorp, but has a cushion comb, and “Ginger” resembles a NH Red. They’ve all gotten along seamlessly since they hatched and we’ve had no problems. They’re super friendly, free range during the day and coop up at night. Pecker and Ginger are laying.

Monday, we decided to add an additional three birds. I like having an ecclectic looking bunch in the yard, so we chose an Easter Egger (“Marshmallow”), a Black Australorp (“Ralph”) and a funny chocolate brown hen that was such an unusual color the farmer thought she might be a mutation (“Ketchup”). So, we have the new crew in a separate but adjoining coop. They have a large run, about 5’ by 12’ and a good size coop with two roosts.

My problem is that when they are in the run, Ketchup is bullying poor Marshmallow. Marshmallow is super meek and cuddly. No backbone to stand up for herself. I know they are establishing a pecking order but Ketchup is running Marshmallow off from any food she finds in the run, pecking her in the face, and Marshmallow is clearly afraid of her. Marshmallow has now taken to hiding in the coop. Yesterday she had two bleeding cuts on her comb (I applied neosporin and they are better today).

I’d had about enough of the bullying, so I put Ketchup in the established chickens’ run and threw Pepper (who I think is top chicken) in with her. Pepper basically pecked the F out of Ketchup. I was sort of hoping they’d get along and I could put Ketchup in with the established birds. But, alas, they did not so I put Ketchup back with the new birds.

So now I don’t know what to do other than let Marshmallow live in the house, the poor little baby. I’ve put up some big plant pots in the run to give her something to hide behind. And there’s only one water and one food source in the coop, but they’re the huge ones, so I’d think she could just go to the other side (I can’t keep spending money on this stuff).

I just hate bullying and I’m tempted to set Ketchup free in the woods.

What should I do??
TIA — Sarah

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

In the life of a chicken, being a top bird often means you live longer and reproduce more. What you call bullying is a natural instinctual reaction to being moved to a new territory with new birds. The weak and meek will be less likely to survive. The strong will survive.

People like to put human thoughts and emotions on chickens instead of chicken thoughts and emotions. There are rules in a flock of chickens that helps to keep a flock peaceful and in order.

Adding new adult birds is always a challenge due to it being unnatural. Most time when adult birds show up it means a territorial take over.

Did the 3 new birds hang out with each other at their last house? Could be they didn't so a pecking order needs to be established as well as needing to establish one with your existing birds. Everyone is stressed and confused which can bring out more aggression.

Separately out the birds, separate by a wire and give them time to calm down and become more familiar.

Chickens can't talk to each other or have what is going on explained to them. It will take some time to form a cohesive flock out of strangers. Your job is to play swap the chickens out until they begin to forget they don't belong together.

You definitely need multiple feed and water stations. I personally have 4. The lower members aren't allowed close to the older members generally. Understanding chicken behaviors will help you help your flock better.

 

[sbhkma]

I have a total of 6 birds. I have 5 food bowls and 4 water bowls, all spread far apart. That way there's almost always a spot to eat. It helps reduce resource stress.

 

[chickens really]

Don't put human emotions on the Birds...They will figure it out..Did the new Birds come from the same Flock?..I would not set Ketchup free...

 

[Red Banks]

It is better to lock up the bully..... when they come out of confinement they will be low man on the totem pole. There is always a low man.

 

[Ridgerunner]

How old are the new ones? Are they all the same age? Are you sure that white one is a pullet? From what I can see it probably is a pullet but those legs look a little thick. If it is a cockerel and younger than the brown one that might help explain some of the behavior. There might be some flock dominance issues going on, not just pecking order.

If they are raised together most of this stuff doesn't happen or isn't serious at all. Even if they were raised together taking a few out of the flock and creating a new one they have to re-sort out the flock social interactions. You have done it as I would have but you have to remain flexible. With individual personalities involved you don't always get the interaction you'd expect. For whatever reason that brown one is serious about attacking the white one.

So what do you do without spending a lot of money. Can you swap that brown one out for another? That may be the simplest solution.

If you keep her, I'd find a way to isolate that brown one where she can still see the other five. Maybe section off a part of that new run, a gate so you have access for food and water would probably be the biggest issue. I know you are in Maine in November but I'd probably toss a tarp over it to give her shelter for the weather, that should be enough. After they have been like this a week or even two just turn all six loose together and see what happens. It may work or it may not.

These are chickens, they don't need fancy store-bought feeders or waterers. Your freezing temperatures cause a problem with water. If it freezes it can break the waterer. I use black rubber bowls which are expensive but if it freezes I just knock the ice out and refill. If I set then in the sun (when there is sun) they start thawed pretty well. I don't know what you are doing for water now but you have to solve that problem.

For feeders I've just knocked a box together out of scrap wood. I can get free buckets at a deli or bakery, I've used those for feeders and waterers. I cut holes in the sides a few inches from the bottom and about 2-1/2" around for feeders and waterers. Maybe this photo will give you an idea.

The only thing I'd have done differently would be to provide at least two separate feeding and watering stations for them. I don't think that is your problem though, I think the brown one just doesn't like the white one for whatever reason.

Good luck!

 

[chickengeorgeto]

It is better to lock up the bully..... when they come out of confinement they will be low man on the totem pole. There is always a low man.

Whether you realize it or not isolating a top ranking bird is a form of chicken cruelty or torture intended to demote an alpha bird into an inferior position in the flock. Tis better, easier, quicker, and kinder to find the hen that you named "ketchup" a new home where she can live in peace. It is also obvious that the two alpha hens are not both bullies but that they equally hold "ketchup" in contempt.

 

[Red Banks]

Whether you realize it or not isolating a top ranking bird is a form of chicken cruelty or torture intended to demote an alpha bird into an inferior position in the flock. Tis better, easier, quicker, and kinder to find the hen that you named "ketchup" a new home where she can live in peace. It is also obvious that the two alpha hens are not both bullies but that they equally hold "ketchup" in contempt.

I believe my post read it would demote the bird into a lower position in the flock.