Daughter's hen at fair for week others forgot it, hurting it!UPDATE p2

[mikesbigroo]

you didn't leave the ribbons pinned to her chest,, the others had there feelings hurt,, just kiddin, i always put mine back at night, seems like they never left

 

[codybird]

Google says that chickens have a great sense of smell, but poor sense of taste.

 

[cmom]

I agree with the other posts. Is there any particular bird that is beating up on her? I noticed that many times there is one that is the aggressor and that other follow her lead. I removed my bully and everything worked out. I put the bully back in after a few days and again she was the top aggressor. I removed her again for a few days and all was well with the other birds. The last time I put her back she had calmed down somewhat. All is well now.

 

[lceh]

Thank you all for your help! I'm going to put Milly in the henhouse tonight while they're sleeping, and get up at daybreak to supervise as they wake up. If there's still nastiness going on I'll take out the two bullies (I know who they are!) and give Milly a chance to get re-integrated. I'll post an update tomorrow.

 

[silkiechicken]

Congrats on the fair! Good luck with the integration. Do let them fight it out some though because if you intervene too much, it could just make it worse and longer.

 

[flagday76]

Yes, do try putting her in at night, and then check first thing in the morning. I've had to do the same thing. It is a pecking order rearrangement situation.

I also find if I throw in a good amount of "treats" like seeds, bread, scratch (I don't use scratch, but that's a whole 'nuther thread!) to distract them for a while, it also helps. Just make sure there are enough treats to go around, or this will also start a poop-storm.

 

[flagday76]

Also, I agree with silkiechicken...
don't intervene too much or it will take FOREVER to get the situation straightened out. Try the treats... they are easily distracted!

 

[Sequin]

When I have been adding a new pullet to the mix I let them all free range together until everyone starts heading to the coop to bed down for the night. Once they really settle whoever is on the coop ramp leading to the door I nudge inside and close the door. It seems to go pretty quickly from the time they are a stranger to the time they are just another one of the girls. Best of success to you!!

And congrats on your daughters ribbons!!

 

[lceh]

Well, I put her in the henhouse last night while they were sleeping (aren't sleepy chicken noises cute?). This morning I was out there at 5:45 to listen for any signs of a ruckus inside the house. They seemed fine, so I put some melon guts in the pen as a distraction and let everyone out. Guess who was the first to go after her -- Sophie, the lowest in the pecking order. I guess that shouldn't surprise me, since she's usually bullied all the time it's probably fun for her to dish it out to the newcomer. I also put a temporary, higher perch in the pen so Milly can get away if she needs to. So far everyone's taken a shot at her, with Sophie being the most persistent. Milly's just trying to stay out of everyone's way. It sure looks brutal, but I guess it's normal.

I know I should just stay out of it, but is there a time when I should intervene? I remember someone telling me about his flock of hens killing (and partially eating) a new roo, so I'm probably a lot more worried about this than I ought to be. Since we're in the city I can't let them free range, so all she can do to get away is get up on one of the 2 perches or hide in the house and hope they don't come after her. I'll go out a little later and give them some more treats to keep them occupied. They do have fresh grass since I move the tractor every night.

 

[thespinningcottage]

Iceh, thanks for keeping us updated - I'm following this closely and taking notes in case I ever have to remove a chicken and re-introduce it.