- Jul 15, 2013
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Need a little advice about flock dynamics, bullying and introductions. We have a white leghorn that was the sole survivor of a fox attack a few months ago that got badly beaten up 2 weeks ago by our new flock overnight in the coop. They had been together for a couple months and are all sweet birds, though when out of the coop it would be fair to say she was a loner. They had been spending a lot of time indoors while we were working on our outdoor run which is now finished and I'm wondering if that, combined with the arrival of spring made everyone go crazy. Our roo is also very amorous with her and she is terrified of him.
I have had her recouperating from her wounds in the house since, and yesterday finished putting together her "summer house" so that she can be separated overnight at least. We have two new birds coming this weekend that I am hoping to put with her in the new coop so she has some company, one of whom is also white at the suggestion of a knowledgable friend to hopefully stop her from being singled out. Should I wait to put her into the new coop at the same time as the newcomers on Sunday, or should I let her have a couple days to get used to her new digs alone? She has been in the other coop for close to a year so I don't want her to be confused about which one to go in. And I'm wondering if I should even pick who rooms with her or let them figure it out themselves? Should I peel one of the others off to put in with the leghorn and have the new two in with the others instead?
The goal is to have everyone share the outdoor space and just break up at night. Sorry this is so long, and thanks in advance for any and all advice, we really want to have some harmony in our flock!!
Background info: Our flock consists of an Americauna roo, a black maran, easter egger and orpington x that came from the same farm. The maran stays with the roo and is top of the pecking order of the girls, the easter egger is bottom of the pecking order and the orpington x is pretty flighty. Our new birds are a cochin and sussex, and were both close to the bottom of the pecking order at their current home. The outdoor space they have is close to 2000 sq ft.
I have had her recouperating from her wounds in the house since, and yesterday finished putting together her "summer house" so that she can be separated overnight at least. We have two new birds coming this weekend that I am hoping to put with her in the new coop so she has some company, one of whom is also white at the suggestion of a knowledgable friend to hopefully stop her from being singled out. Should I wait to put her into the new coop at the same time as the newcomers on Sunday, or should I let her have a couple days to get used to her new digs alone? She has been in the other coop for close to a year so I don't want her to be confused about which one to go in. And I'm wondering if I should even pick who rooms with her or let them figure it out themselves? Should I peel one of the others off to put in with the leghorn and have the new two in with the others instead?
The goal is to have everyone share the outdoor space and just break up at night. Sorry this is so long, and thanks in advance for any and all advice, we really want to have some harmony in our flock!!
Background info: Our flock consists of an Americauna roo, a black maran, easter egger and orpington x that came from the same farm. The maran stays with the roo and is top of the pecking order of the girls, the easter egger is bottom of the pecking order and the orpington x is pretty flighty. Our new birds are a cochin and sussex, and were both close to the bottom of the pecking order at their current home. The outdoor space they have is close to 2000 sq ft.