Did I get a bum flock?

[WILIFORD]

I agree with several of the other responses.

I would give them a larger run, this will help with the bullying.

You do have the perfect storm right now, with the new environment, the cooler time of year, which brings on molting and lower egg production. You could add a light to the hen house that stays on for 2-3 hours after sunset. this would promote laying during these short days of the year.

I would recommend you look into supplementing their water with organic apple cider vinegar. I have done this since I got my chickens 2 years ago and I have not experienced the problems I see others posting about. There is a ton of information on the web regarding the benefits of ACV and chickens. I know I keep preaching this, but I have had such good results with it.

I would discontinue the separation of the flock, go to a larger run and possibly a larger coop, though the size you have should be adequate, but the more room, the less bullying. But definitely a larger run.

 

[coach723]

I would go slow reintegrating your special needs girl. Sounds like the setup you have going now is good, they can see each other but not touch each other. I would stay with that until everyone calms down and kind of ignores each other. Then try reintegrating, and you may need to use a wire dog crate to move her into the other space for short periods again, until they ignore her, again with the see but don't touch. And then try full integration with supervision so you can step in if needed. If she has trouble seeing and they perceive it as weakness she is very likely to be attacked. I would just take it slow and allow as much time as necessary, so she doesn't get hurt badly. It may be an exercise in patience! The more space they have, the better chance it will work, so everyone has room to get away as needed.

 

[chickens really]

In a Nut Shell...
Chickens when stressed show symptoms of the Dieases they already carry and catch disease when moved around from flock to flock...Chickens need balance in nutrition and constant consistency in management...Run down Birds get parasite infestations, respiratory disease coccidiosis etc....Yes, your dealing with Birds that already had issues that the stress brought out full force....
Hopefully you can get it manageable ?

 

[WILIFORD]

When you do fully reintegrate them, something I learn here on BYC ( I don't remember who posted it). But to wait until it is dark an the chickens roosting for the night. Gently take the new additions in to the coop and place them on the roost next to the others. For some reason when the wake up together it is not as impactful and disruptive to the flock and they more readily accept them.

 

[apryl29]

Thanks for your help. I think the lice really put me over the edge. Trying to give my hen a butt bath and having them crawl up my arms and into my hair, it was horrible!!! I've ready that poultry lice and human lice are different bugs, but oh man, just thinking about those creepy crawlies makes me itch. I'll take a look at your mites post, thanks for the info!

The same thing happened to me. I went home that night and threw away my shoes I'd been wearing the coop and took a long hot shower b/c I felt like things were crawling on me... it felt like that for days before it finally went away. Good luck!

 

[gardenKate]

Also, re: treating for mites and lice: it's important that the coop be thoroughly cleaned and treated, AND that the bedding be removed and destroyed, or completely removed from your property. Mites can live without a host for 10 months, even in freezing temps. Mice and rats, birds, squirrels are also vectors for mites. Yet one more reason to NOT make feed available 24/7. I'm convinced that fermented feed is helpful in this regard b/c the rodents can't carry it off to hoard it in their nests.

I agree with other posters that your coop space may be part of the issue. Flock birds will need to roost together in order to become a cohesive flock. 4 s.f./bird is a bare minimum, and at the first sign of aggression, bullying, or disease, that is the first thing I'd be looking at to improve upon.

Welcome to BYC, and I'm hoping that your issues improve. Did your coop(s) come with the birds? Or were they used? If so, the coops themselves may be the source of your parasites. I'm wondering why you bathed the birds to get rid of the mites/lice instead of using a spray or a powder?

The smaller coop did come with the birds. We built the larger coop and it was empty until the hens arrived. I bathed one of the birds because of a poopy butt and feathers that were holding onto the poop. After blow drying the feathers, then I applied the powder. I follow the chicken chick's blog, and this was her recommendation.