Difficult introduction to flock...

[azygous]

Glad you have time and patience to devote to this integration because it's going to require an abundance of both.

I would give the flock and PG the space to work things out on their own and just keeping an eye out for a couple of issues.

The first one is if PG is losing weight from being bullied away from the feeder. The other would be any signs of bullying to the point of injury. With a small flock and lots of space, neither issue should become a major problem. Continue to make sure PG gets extra to eat and spend time observing flock interactions. That will let you know if you need to intervene.

 

[aart]

Only 2 weeks in the new coop is not really long.
Crating birds only prolongs the integration process.
How big is the coop and run?
Please post some pics of the setup.

Follow some of the usual integration tricks:
The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

 

[path.otto]

@aart, I'm using my phone for this reply because that's where my pics are.
The coop is 64 sq. ft and the run is 81 sq. ft. The connector between the coop and the run is an area where PG could get trapped. Otherwise, there are 2 roosts and a ladder she can get to. I can easily put more food around and I did that when I had to combine the two flocks. I could add more water but keeping it liquid could be problematic, we only have 15 amps available at the coop. I use the cookie tin method and it seems to work. I didn't want food and water in the coop itself so I'll think on that.

I get what you are saying and I just need to allow the pecking order to work without allowing her to get mauled. I'm a softie, I guess. As usual, I appreciate your sage advice.

 

[aart]

I would definitely put at least a feeder inside coop,
I'll bet that alone will fill PG's crop.
Water in the coop I understand your concerns, might think about just putting one in there during the day, bring it in at night.
For long term, think about horizontal nipples, make some small ones and a holder so is easily swapped out. That's not often a fast thing to switch over too, but it could be a great diversion.

Both areas could use more:
Places for the birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

Make it 'messy' in there, lots of 'stuff'. Don't be afraid to put some stuff in then change it around... adding more, removing some, or just moving it. It will both 'enrich' their habitat and the 'new stuff' will distract them all from fighting.

You're going to have to tough it out and let them do their thing.
Chickens peck each other, they don't mind, they take it stride as part of their 'society'.

 

[path.otto]

Excellent ideas, @aart, I see a scavenger hunt around the property in my future! We just had a bunch of tree trimming and removal done and I know what to do with my Christmas tree after the holidays. We have some pallets that can be put to good use, too.

On another note, I went to check on them at 5 and PG was on the roost in the somewhat protected NW corner of the run. I'm sure she intended to spend the night out there even though it's blowing 25 mph, snowing and it's going to drop to 9 tonight. She's going to be a hard nut to crack!

 

[aart]

Some of the larger trimmed branches might work as roosts or if multi-forked right on the ground....not sure a christmas tree would offer much navigation.

Just keep putting her on the roost after dark.

We've had screaming winds for 3-4 days, supposed to get lake effect snow tonite.
Only down to 25F tho.

 

[path.otto]

Us, too, I would not have made a good prairie pioneer! Two nights ago the wind was 50+ mph.
I just thought the tree on it's side would be a fun thing to hide in. I saw one in someone else's run.
We don't get near the snow you do anymore though! Although, it got so cold a couple of years ago that our septic tank and geothermal froze and the city was having water main breaks all over town. Hope that's not on the menu for this year!
Thanks, again for your suggestions and comments. I read your horizontal waterer article and will look into that in the future. Not having to lug water and worry about excess humidity would be wonderful!

 

[aart]

I just thought the tree on it's side would be a fun thing to hide in. I saw one in someone else's run.

I think the branches are too small and close together<shrugs> guess it depends on the tree. Sap might be a problem too, I wouldn't want that on their feet and getting tracked all over coop/run/nests/roosts.
Use your imagination, but a good dose of common sense too.

 

[path.otto]

@aart , just read that Frasier Firs can be mildly poisonous to cats and dogs so back to the drawing board.

 

[Mrs. K]

Some birds just don't fit in a flock. I don't think she fit in her original flock, which is why she left it.

I second the clutter in the run. So many runs I see, are just a flat 2 dimensional space, wide open. I believe one needs to make use of the vertical space, so that while your run will look cluttered, it actually has more usable space.

I think I would add some more roosting space in the coop. You have a lot of space in there, add some more roosts. The roosts you have, cause your birds to sit close together. Sometimes people think that will help them keep warm, but consider sitting at the football game, someone else, wearing a coat, does not keep you warm, your own coat does that.

This might not work. This is a very independent bird, some are like that, she is also getting some age on her, may not make the winter.

Mrs K