Help! Should I rehome them?

[crawfordmama]

I have 4 BSLs who are approximately 3 months old. Since they've been out of quarantine, they've bullied and beat up my 2 existing EEs (a pullet and a roo). I figure this is happening because they're so tightly knit as a group, and they outnumber my EEs. This is very difficult for me to watch, because I have so much time and emotion invested in my EEs. They are the avian equivalent of my children! My neighbor, who has a large farm, has offered to take the BSLs off my hands. I feel somewhat guilty about rehoming them, because they came from a large flock with no human interaction, and they seem to be taking a liking to me and their new home. Should I rehome all 4 of them? I thought of breaking up the group and rehoming 2 or 3 of them, but since they're tightly knit, will that just add to their stress? If I keep 1, will she buddy-up with my EE pullet? If I keep 2 will the bullying subside? This decision is really stressing me out, and I could use your opinions! Thanks!

 

[Ridgerunner]

How old are your EE's? How much space do they have? Are they confined or do they have a lot of space? How long have you had the BSL's mixed with the EE's? Are they drawing blood or just a few pecks? Are they cornering the EE's and pecking the fire out of them as a group or just occasionally pecking and bullying, especially by one BSL? Is it one trouble maker leading the charge or is it all of them? Are they keeping the EE's from eating and drinking?

It may just be a case of them establishing a pecking order and it may be something more serious. I really don't have enough information to even be close to guessing.

 

[crawfordmama]

My EEs are the same age as the BSLs - 3 months. So far, they have been overnighting in separate coops. They've been having "play dates" for a couple of weeks. Their encounters have been during free-ranging, because I don't dare stick them in the run together. The EEs stick together, happily grazing and "chickening", and the BSLs see them from across the yard, and come running over to them. The picking has been done by all 4 BSLs, but one at a time. It's not bloody, but from the sounds the EEs make, it hurts. It's just pecking; no one gets dragged aroung or anything. So far everyone has been able to eat and drink as they want. I realize they have to sort out the pecking order, but this just seems a little rough. Will everyone be happier if I keep just 1 BSL?

 

[Ariel301]

Maybe try integrating the "bully" chickens into the other group one at a time, so they can't gang up on your EEs. Once one is getting along, put another in, and so on.

 

[JROOSTER]

I would do them one at a time.

 

[sunflowerenvy]

i would pen up your bullies during the days and let the EE free range and let the claimest bully out first to get to know the EE than the2nd one, 3rd one and then the last one but wait until each bird get comfort with your to EE.

 

[crawfordmama]

Great ideas guys - thank you!