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HEllo Everyone ! new to BYC, already looking for advice :D !!

Discussion in 'New Member Introductions' started by HSA87, Jan 18, 2015.

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  1. Jan 18, 2015 #1
    HSA87

    HSA87 New Egg

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    Hello everyone,

    Needed some urgent advice,
    Basically I hve had a lone cockerel for about a year and recently got two egg laying hens about 3 weeks ago. Introduced them straight away and they have formed a very united group until I got two new polish breed hens which are quite small in size as compared to the other three.

    Its been nearly a week now and the new ones are not showing any signs of getting along with the others including the rooster. The hens have been attacking the new ones which is understandable because of the pecking order. However, the rooster chases them all the time and attacks them violently most of the time. One thing I have noticed is the new ones dont like the rooster near them and run away whenever he approaches.
    I am not able to understand why they run away from him and as a result they are terrified and although free range in the yard; they hide all day long and hardly eat n drink which is a concern. One of them had been a regular egg layer at the previous place and has only laid once in a week.

    I wanted some advice on the fact that I was planning to get the rooster the new ones had been with at the previous place? will this help? will they still recognise him because its only been a week they've been away?

    I dont want to give them new ones back as they are v cute.
    Pls help

    Thanks
     
  3. Jan 18, 2015 #2
    BantamFan4Life

    BantamFan4Life LOOK WHAT YOU MADE ME DO. Premium Member

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    Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!
     
  5. Jan 18, 2015 #3
    drumstick diva

    drumstick diva Still crazy after all these years. Premium Member

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    I don't know if this is the problem but, Polish chickens (silkies too) tend to get attacked and bullied because they look so different and are generally docile birds. Maybe keeping two separate flocks, and getting the rooster the new ones were used to would be a good idea.

    I would imagine the rooster and others terrorize the Polish in the coop and outside probably bully them away from food and water. Be sure to set out extra feed and water pans, so they can get enough to eat.
     
  7. Jan 18, 2015 #4
    BantamLover21

    BantamLover21 Overrun With Chickens

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    I agree with drumstick diva.

    Good luck with your flock! I hope they get along better for you!
     
  9. Jan 18, 2015 #5
    Mountain Peeps

    Mountain Peeps Change is inevitable, like the seasons Premium Member

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    Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

    Good luck to you and your flock!
     
  11. Jan 19, 2015 #6
    Kelsie2290

    Kelsie2290 True BYC Addict Premium Member

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    Hello :frow and Welcome To BYC! It is best to have a long period of seeing but no touching when introducing new birds, through wire seem to work best, ie dividing the coop into two sections or keeping the new/younger ones in a cage inside the coup for a couple of weeks to a month at least. The chickens will get to know each other and sort of work out a pecking order before actually coming in contact with each other. Letting them free range together is a good idea and should help... It will take a couple of weeks to get the pecking order sorted out. There is a nice article in the Learning Center on integrating flocks you might like to check out, the part about actually combining them is after the quarantine section https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock Crested Birds like polish or silkies are often have a problem in mixed flocks, they may have to be kept separated permanently.
     
  13. Jan 19, 2015 #7
    TwoCrows

    TwoCrows Show me the way old friend... Staff Member

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    Hello there and welcome to BYC! [​IMG]

    I agree with Kelsie here. You need to introduce new birds to a flock slowly. You can't just throw everybody together. First the new birds need to be at least 3 or 4 months of age before you can mix them in with adults or chicks can get hurt fatally. Keep the new birds in a cage or enclosure within in the flock for about 3 weeks. Everybody sees, nobody touches. This will allow for them to get accustomed to each other somewhat. Come mixing day the aggression should be less.

    Always put out more food and water stations for the new birds as the original flock can starve them out of food and water. And always intervene if it turns bloody.

    It can take months for new birds to fully be accepted by the original flock. Good luck and welcome to ours!
     
  15. Jan 19, 2015 #8
    Wyandottes7

    Wyandottes7 Overrun With Chickens

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    Welcome to BYC![​IMG] We're glad to have you.

    You've received some good advice already!
     
  17. Jan 20, 2015 #9
    ChickyChickens

    ChickyChickens Chickening Around

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    Welcome to BYC!!! There are loads of members on here…so if you have ANY questions…just ASK!!!

    Hope you have loads of fun and all your answers answered here on BYC the BEST CHICKEN KEEPING FORUM on EARTH!!

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  19. Jan 20, 2015 #10
    Book Em Danno25

    Book Em Danno25 Overrun With Chickens

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