Esther and Winnie~ Emerald ~ Momma Time~ UH-OH Egg Overload P46

[barg]

How about this idea:

I segregate the two younger ones again and put hazel in with them for about a week or so.
I have done this sort of thing when they were younger and it has been suggeset again recently.(Smoky73 )

Here are the details:

Hazel is the lowest in the pecking order of the older chickens, for this reason I'm not sure she is the best choice for this purpose BUT, she is the only one of the older ones that has Not started to lay.

Winnie has made alot of progress with the older ones in the last week and segregateing them might screw that up.

If I am to do this, it would need to be those three, no other combination is workable.

What do you think, will this cause more harm then it will solve?

 

[Smoky73]

Of course I will say go for it. Seeing that Hazel is the bottom of the totem pole, It will aslo be a good chance for her to gain a better status in the group too. I would certainly not rush the procedure. Adding a new member needs to be given enough time for Ester and Winnie to fully come over their fear of the other bird or birds, each time they are introduced. I feel that the reason that they havent gotten over the fear yet is still that the older girls were already established in the pecking order, and they outnumbered Esther and Winnie. I dont know about anyone else, but, when I was a kid, to approach a group of other older kids, I felt scared and threatened, but, to approach one singly was far lest traumatic. (Maybe I just had a bad childhood

)

I would only have Hazel in with them now and leave them like that for several weeks. I know it is difficult. After a few weeks, hopefully E & W will be feeling more secure with Hazel. Only introduce another one AFTER they are used to the first one. If they are not comfortable, do not add anyone else till they are.

 

[thndrdancr]

I say go for it, but I been thinking that all along, they need to make a buddy so the dynamics arent 4 against 2. Try it and see what happens, and of course, keep us posted.
Jill

 

[barg]

I think I should say this for the record:

I know some people have read this thread and scratched their head wondering why I don't just give up and put them in their own coop.
I think I’ve said this before but since this thread has gone a little long, I'll say it again.

There is no giving up.
I either achieve integration or, those that fail to integrate go live somewhere else.

The coop and run I have, should be sufficient for the six chickens, provided they get along, and I could expand the existing coop a little if needed, but I don't have the room in my yard for an entirely separate coop and run.

Given the amount of time I've already spent on this, I'm not about to throw in the towel until I have exausted all my options.

Your continued suggestions are more then welcome.

Thanks guys and gals

 

[barg]

Quote:
It's kinda funny, when the older ones were younger ones, we thought Hazel was the top of the pecking order because she was always so friendly toward us "people" and the first one to come to us when we let them out of their brooder.

Now Esther is having problems at the bottom and she is just as friendly as hazel.

It is true that Domineak is friendly too, but when they were young, it was always Hazel to be the first to jump up to greet us.

thndrdancr :

I say go for it, but I been thinking that all along, they need to make a buddy so the dynamics arent 4 against 2. Try it and see what happens, and of course, keep us posted.
Jill

Of coarse I'll keep you posted, I'm starting to doubt this thread will ever end.

 

[barg]

Things have really gone down hill, Esther has spent the entire day inside the chicken house hideing fromthe other chickens.
She isn't coming out to eat, maybe she is sick or injured in a place that I can't see, although I did take her out and give her a lookover.

I wanted to be able to do a little construction this weekend, seems I never have any time.
My daughter and my wife spent the day at camp, which left me to take care of the baby and my son... no time for construction.

Now it seems that a family member is ill and I'll be spending tomorrow at the hospital.
I don't know what plans are in store for next weekend, but it looks like Esther may have to hold out until then, if she can.

Winnie spent the day going in and out of the coop house, she's totally confused and keeps trying to get Esther to come out.

I guess tomorrow we will just have to segregate the younger ones, I'll seperate the tractor and main run again tonight after they go to bed. Week 17 is tomorrow.

 

[silkiechicken]

You are too kind hearted! It's amazing to watch you keep trying to integrate them as gently as possible. I'd give them the cold shoulder and be like, figure it out and leave. Eventually they will all get along and be one big happy family though. Don't give up! They are some loved pets alright!

Hope your family member gets better soon.

 

[barg]

My question of the day is, will she starve herself due to fear, or will she eventually give in and go out there.

As far as my kind heartedness, I think they call it "beeding heart liberal" or maybe it's "over protective parent " haha.

 

[silkiechicken]

Haha, she will go out and eat when she gets hungry. No doubt about it. She'll wait till everyone else goes in before popping out to eat. Mine go hide in the nest hutches till everyone is let out and you can see them in the dusk light scarfing down food when the others are getting up to roost.

 

[thndrdancr]

I would be just as soft hearted. I worry bout my girls too, they are family members now, even tho they might not realize they all have to get along.
I sure hope things start going better for Esther, poor baby.

If she is anything like my chicken, she will starve herself to death. I wouldnt have thought it was possible but she sure went on a hiatus when I tried to change to layer feed. So I guess it depends on the chicken. I thought I was the only one with a neurotic chicken. Guess u need to make her a house pet. hehe
Jill