Help re-introducing hen after a terrible pecking incident!

[kauana]

Hello folks,
I posted about my Olive egger Maru a little over a month ago here. She survived and now has all her tail feathers again and is fully recovered. Today, I decided to re-introduce them again, but this time with a barrier between her and the other chickens. I am just a little concerned that 2 of my older hens are trying their best to murder Maru again even though I put a fence between them !! I recorded a video of this happening and I have some questions just to make sure I am doing the reintroduction right:

- I added a red light for them at night because of the freezing temperatures, but it seems to keep them awake at night, which is more opportunities for trouble. Should I turn them off so they sleep, or a least don't try killing each other at night? Maru has been inside the home for over a month and I am a bit concerned that she may be cold since she isn't used to the cold temperatures yet (for instance tonight is 25F/ -4C).

- Maru is currently enclosed now, hence the wood covering the exit. Is this the best approach? I'm afraid just setting up a panic room and her not finding it


- How long does it take on average for chickens to get used to each other? Her sister Meggie, the buff Orpington, has been with the older hens for a month now (ever since Maru's incident) and is able to "stay" with the other chickens (she has a panic room she often goes to), but she seems really afraid of the older chickens. Meggie turns her head when they look at her to avoid eye contact and will run away when they get too close. The older hens will still peck at her when they get the chance, although it's not as violent as before and they even sleep on the same roost at night. The older chickens are really mean though, they don't let Meggie eat or drink, and will prevent her from entering the coop to sleep at night. Also, Meggie completely forgot about Maru even though I raised them both at the same. When I tried letting them hang out together they were fighting violently non-stop so I just gave up. Anyways, I just wished they would treat Meggie as part of the group and let her eat/drink/hang out with the other hens. It is tough having to manage 3 separate stations for Meggie, Maru, and the older hens

 

[DobieLover]

You NEED to get that heat out of there. You aren't doing her any favors with it as it will prevent her acclimation to the cooler temps. It's not that cold. If you are concerned about her at night, give her a huddle box to hunker down in.
How much space does the flock have in sq ft? What is in the space? How many birds total do you have? Please post pictures.
In the video, things look a little tight.

 

[Mrs. K]

One to three birds is a bit much. And if the three are making a go of it, that might just be what fits in there, it does look a bit tight.

As you are finding out, being raised together does not make for life long friends. Being separated for that amount of time, totally not part of the flock.

A couple of things you can do, but it depends on your space. If you can let the two meanest birds out of the entire set up, into your yard. Then put one of the three with the victim, and lock them in the coop/run.

Now there will probably be a dust up, but it will be one on one. And there should be enough space to get away from each other. Then at night, put the meanies where you have the victim, and let the victim and partner have the roosts.

I agree with the above post - get rid of the heat lamp! Chickens take a surprising swing in temperature with out a problem. They reposition their feathers to accommodate the outside temperature, they do not grow a thicker coat like a dog.

You should repeat the two out, two in for 2-3 days. Then add the one more to the pair. Leaving the meanest bird outside again for 2-3 days. Then try all 4 together.

If this does not work:

• you can try pin less peepers
• or you need to remove a bird from the flock, you do not have enough room.
  • often times, what was more than enough room when they were chicks is not enough room for adults and you get this behavior

Mrs K

 

[kauana]

Thank you for your reply. I turned off the heat lamp. What would be considered "cold" for chickens?

Yeah, I can see how the video makes it look tight in there. When we had the heat lamp on, all the chickens roosted right next to the lamp. Our coop is the Wichita cabin coop, the total size is 5'x11' and the coop is a 5'x5' box, so 25sq ft. We have 4 chickens. When we were researching coop plans, we read that each chicken should have at least 4sq ft, so we kept that in mind before we got the chickens. Is 4sq ft/chicken enough for chickens?

 

[kauana]

One to three birds is a bit much. And if the three are making a go of it, that might just be what fits in there, it does look a bit tight.

As you are finding out, being raised together does not make for life long friends. Being separated for that amount of time, totally not part of the flock.

A couple of things you can do, but it depends on your space. If you can let the two meanest birds out of the entire set up, into your yard. Then put one of the three with the victim, and lock them in the coop/run.

Now there will probably be a dust up, but it will be one on one. And there should be enough space to get away from each other. Then at night, put the meanies where you have the victim, and let the victim and partner have the roosts.

I agree with the above post - get rid of the heat lamp! Chickens take a surprising swing in temperature with out a problem. They reposition their feathers to accommodate the outside temperature, they do not grow a thicker coat like a dog.

You should repeat the two out, two in for 2-3 days. Then add the one more to the pair. Leaving the meanest bird outside again for 2-3 days. Then try all 4 together.

If this does not work:

• you can try pin less peepers
• or you need to remove a bird from the flock, you do not have enough room.
  • often times, what was more than enough room when they were chicks is not enough room for adults and you get this behavior

Mrs K

I see. When I put Maru (the victim) and her sister together at least Maru would fight back instead of being scared, so I think I might try that. The "panic room" in the run is about 2'x5'. Is this enough for the 2 hens to get away from one another?

Also, what do you mean by "you can try pin less peeper"? Thank you

 

[Mrs. K]

I would expect that you do have enough room. One cannot always tell. However, some birds do not get along, no matter what. They just don't fit in the flock or set up for whatever reason. But try the other things first. In the end, always solve for peace in the flock.

Pin less peepers are a sight blocker that seem to work in small flocks where bullying has started. If I truly wanted to keep all those specific birds, I would try them. They do not harm the bird, and she gets used to them quickly, and it can stop bullying in the tracks. They might be the easiest solution, and work well to get you through the winter months when this behavior seems worse.

https://www.eggcartons.com/blogs/news/pinless-peepers

Mrs K

 

[aart]

How much space does the flock have in sq ft? What is in the space? How many birds total do you have? Please post pictures.

Would like to see pics too, showing the whole set up.

The "panic room" in the run is about 2'x5'. Is this enough for the 2 hens to get away from one another?

Only if they really want to stay apart, or at least not touching.

 

[kauana]

Would like to see pics too, showing the whole set up.


Only if they really want to stay apart, or at least not touching.

I attached a picture of the coop. I measured the area again and it's more like 22.5sq ft. Then I fenced about 1/3 of it for Maru

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thank you for your reply. I turned off the heat lamp. What would be considered "cold" for chickens?

No precise number but I'd say extended periods of around -10F (real temp, not wind chill) and below may require extra precautions. This is assuming healthy adult chickens with normal feathering.

 

[Mrs. K]

Oh no, much colder than -10F, -20's don't phase them.

Mine even had no damage at -35F. Granted it was only one night with no wind, but I am telling you THAT IS COLD.

Mrs K