Funny situation

[Ctrek]

I’m sure all this has been asked before… but. I’m fairly new to all this chicken stuff and last year this time (may), I acquired three chickens from someone who was moving. I wanted to have chickens anyway so I just kept going. Built a 4x8 coop and I now have the old flock and I am slowly introducing the new 8 week old Red Stars.

About a week ago, a coworker asked if I could take a bullied Ayam Cemani. Well at least we think it is. I quarantined her even though she was probably free of disease. Today I let her go with the old flock. I know they are territorial. We had a single dust up and now they just seem to chase her away from things. I’m wondering when I can add her into the coop for the night. It’s been an ordeal lately with moving the chicks to the shop, the bullies hen to the shop every morning and evening. I hope I’m articulating this well enough. Any advice on this would be helpful. Thanks!

 

[swamphiker]

If things have gone okay for the day and your coop has space for more, it shouldn't be a problem to have her in the coop at night. If you can, it might be good to keep an ear out for bad fighting as they settle into their roosts for the night, but some jostling over the "best" roost is normal.

 

[Ctrek]

If things have gone okay for the day and your coop has space for more, it shouldn't be a problem to have her in the coop at night. If you can, it might be good to keep an ear out for bad fighting as they settle into their roosts for the night, but some jostling over the "best" roost is normal.

Awesome. Thanks for the advice!

 

[janiedoe]

Be sure that you have at least two feeders and two waterers. It is a good idea to have a few things that obstruct their vision and hiding places.

 

[Ctrek]

Be sure that you have at least two feeders and two waterers. It is a good idea to have a few things that obstruct their vision and hiding places.

There are plenty of feeders and drinkers around. Nothing in the coop though. It’s a 4x8 coop with nesting boxes accessible from the outside but no real place to hide. I figured they would all be in sleep mode when they are in there but I’m sure I can figure something out. Thanks for the help!

 

[janiedoe]

There are plenty of feeders and drinkers around. Nothing in the coop though. It’s a 4x8 coop with nesting boxes accessible from the outside but no real place to hide. I figured they would all be in sleep mode when they are in there but I’m sure I can figure something out. Thanks for the help!

No need for waterers or feeders in the coop. As long as there is something to obstruct the bully girls view so that they can't keep her away from both waterers and feeders.

 

[janiedoe]

Have you considered letting her interact with the younger pullets?
I really feel for her. She has been uprooted from her home, where she was bullied, and now she is in another stressful situation.
She may be able to make friends with the younger girls.

 

[Ctrek]

Have you considered letting her interact with the younger pullets?
I really feel for her. She has been uprooted from her home, where she was bullied, and now she is in another stressful situation.
She may be able to make friends with the younger girls.

For sure. And yes. She does like to stick close to the younger ones quite a bit and it seems to go ok. They are about half her size though. Looks like things may have quieted down a bit and I’ll be a little more patient with it. She is growing her feathers back some so she’s got that at least.

 

[janiedoe]

For sure. And yes. She does like to stick close to the younger ones quite a bit and it seems to go ok. They are about half her size though. Looks like things may have quieted down a bit and I’ll be a little more patient with it. She is growing her feathers back some so she’s got that at least.

It's doubtful that she would hurt the little ones. With her timid personality, she'd be more likely to be bullied by them.

 

[Ctrek]

It's doubtful that she would hurt the little ones. With her timid personality, she'd be more likely to be bullied by them.

I sure hope not. She’s been through enough.