Help me isolate a bird permanently; isolated pen with another bird okay?

[Sunshine_Amy]

Hello all,
I've decided to permanently separate my Splash Ameraucana who is lowest on the pecking order, because she's not been thriving, was recently very lethargic during a cold spell due to lack of sufficient calories, and hasn't laid in 2 years. I've given up trying to integrate her. My question is, who to pull out of the flock to pair with her, since they're all well integrated, and if the pen I have is okay as a permanent solution for the duo.

1) Pen size: I know that 21 square feet is technically enough for two birds, but want to run it by as a realistic long term solution for these two birds. The pen is long and narrow (8'x32") and within the existing run (see picture below). It has a higher roost area w/ poop board for nighttime, is well protected from drafts and predators. Currently has a vinyl floor, but I could remove the bottom to rest on the dirt floor. I can visually block it from the rest of the birds, which I imagine is better. Just double checking, especially the size, if you think this is a decent solution for the two birds?

2) Which bird to pair with her. (I understand she needs a buddy.) I've narrowed it down to three condenders:

• My Australorp --she gets along with everyone and I don't worry about bullying between the two
• Speckled Sussex -- She's been recently less integrated with the rest of the flock, isolating herself on the roost bar. I don't know yet if she'll bully the girl I'm isolating; I could try and see. My concern is she may be too active for such a small pen.
• Salmon Faverolles -- She from a younger flock and hasn't laid yet, not sure if this is just slow to mature, or if she's stressed. She seems well integrated with the rest of the flock currently, but she is not from the Splash Ameraucana's original flock, and my Splash has been known to peck at the younger girls. Should I try it? She's quite small for a Salmon Faverolles, and may do well in the pen in general?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

 

[Debbie292d]

I think I'd pick one of your bottom choices. I lean to the Salmon Faverolle though.

That area looks beautiful for them.

Larger breed chickens should have 15 square feet per bird for their run. Yours might be a tad small for them but still could work. You'll just have to see if they seem cramped.

Can you remove that shelving or are they able to go on the bottom shelf of it? Just seeing if you could free up some floor space or, put a shelf up a couple feet that they could jump up to, to perch or just give them more room in there.

 

[Sunshine_Amy]

I think I'd pick one of your bottom choices. I lean to the Salmon Faverolle though.

That area looks beautiful for them.

Larger breed chickens should have 15 square feet per bird for their run. Yours might be a tad small for them but still could work. You'll just have to see if they seem cramped.

Can you remove that shelving or are they able to go on the bottom shelf of it? Just seeing if you could free up some floor space or, put a shelf up a couple feet that they could jump up to, to perch or just give them more room in there.

Thanks! I'll give the Salmon Faverolles a try. And that "shelf" is their droppings board. It's hard to see, but there are two 2x4 roosts above it, and they readily use it. My Salmon Faverolles actually prefers to roost there--I've always had to put her in the coop--so she's off to a good start!

 

[Laralee]

Hello all,
I've decided to permanently separate my Splash Ameraucana who is lowest on the pecking order, because she's not been thriving, was recently very lethargic during a cold spell due to lack of sufficient calories, and hasn't laid in 2 years. I've given up trying to integrate her. My question is, who to pull out of the flock to pair with her, since they're all well integrated, and if the pen I have is okay as a permanent solution for the duo.

1) Pen size: I know that 21 square feet is technically enough for two birds, but want to run it by as a realistic long term solution for these two birds. The pen is long and narrow (8'x32") and within the existing run (see picture below). It has a higher roost area w/ poop board for nighttime, is well protected from drafts and predators. Currently has a vinyl floor, but I could remove the bottom to rest on the dirt floor. I can visually block it from the rest of the birds, which I imagine is better. Just double checking, especially the size, if you think this is a decent solution for the two birds?

2) Which bird to pair with her. (I understand she needs a buddy.) I've narrowed it down to three condenders:

• My Australorp --she gets along with everyone and I don't worry about bullying between the two
• Speckled Sussex -- She's been recently less integrated with the rest of the flock, isolating herself on the roost bar. I don't know yet if she'll bully the girl I'm isolating; I could try and see. My concern is she may be too active for such a small pen.
• Salmon Faverolles -- She from a younger flock and hasn't laid yet, not sure if this is just slow to mature, or if she's stressed. She seems well integrated with the rest of the flock currently, but she is not from the Splash Ameraucana's original flock, and my Splash has been known to peck at the younger girls. Should I try it? She's quite small for a Salmon Faverolles, and may do well in the pen in general?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

I think the pen size is fine and my Australorp is the best, most friendly bird. I think you could use any of them, esp the smaller Salmon bird, but I would make extra sure that your bullied girl is ok with them.

 

[Sunshine_Amy]

I think the pen size is fine and my Australorp is the best, most friendly bird. I think you could use any of them, esp the smaller Salmon bird, but I would make extra sure that your bullied girl is ok with them.

Thank you. I tried the Speckled Sussex and she did well for a day and then was anxious to get out. I've currently got just the lone Ameraucana in the pen, and it seems to be working out, since she's sort of "among" the other birds in the run all day (with the pen allowing visibility); I don't think she's as lonely as I'd feared. So I'm now thinking to maybe put another bird in occasionally for a visit, but not permanently; maybe I'll try my Australorp next. (They ARE so sweet, aren't they?) My Ameraucana is already doing better with this solution than she was doing among the flock, so I have high hopes!

 

[Mrs. K]

I think I would really just leave her in there by herself. She is protected, and that makes a bird more confident. I cannot remember who it was, but she separated her victim for weeks similar to your set up for several months. Eventually she let her back out into the flock and it went well. But she did keep her by herself, within the flock like you, for months. She stated that the bird got stronger, put on weight, and just became more confident. Lost the victim attitude.

Mrs K