How long will it take for the pecking order to be re-established?

[PDXModChick]

Its been really hot and since I do not have climate control for my tractor, she's been inside for a day and a half. Today she is walking around kinda crowing loud. Then she'll go lay down in a corner and preen a bit.

I am concerned for her well being. I know that birds are social so I don't want to depress her.

She is eating well and droppings are great.

I am keeping her from the flock because of a facial injury further agitated by my applying blu-kote.

I plan to reintroduce her as soon as I can. When I do, should I do so at night so she can mingle without her face being seen? Then I would be out there at the break of dawn to observe. I figure once they all realize that her face is darker they will leave it alone since birds have markings and maybe they will think that is what it is... Or will that be too stressful for her?

 

[Judy]

The blue (purple) color should discourage others from pecking, not encourage. Yes, I believe I'd return her at night, to the roost.

 

[PDXModChick]

Thank you DDawn. I just love these birds so much... She's really missing her flock, today more so than yesterday.

 

[PDXModChick]

How long does it take to reestablish pecking order when reintroducing a chick?

My birds are 2 months old and I had my blu girl out of the flock for two days to heal. They are pulling her feathers and chasing her around the yard. They have been at it since I put her back in at 7PM yesterday, stopped to roost, then started back at it today. It seems like they are ganging up on her to chase her around...

Will it take a few hours or few days?

 

[dixiechick]

Poor girl!

I've always had mine accept in a few hours....although, they do have their picks to peck at. My poor ZsaZsa is at the bottom of the pecking order and whenever anyone has "a bad day" they seem to take it out on her...they don't do her harm, but I hate it.

 

[PDXModChick]

Quote:
That's what I had expected since she was in the middle of the order when I removed her. But she is the smallest, and they are really making her cower. My rooster and the other barred rocks are being the worst, they are actually pulling feathers on her neck. I tucked a little pick no more under her neck feathers and that has stopped a bit...

No one has drawn blood or even pecked at her face where the original injury was.

She seems to be fine, just scared and trying to hide as much as possible.

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
Put her back in at night, when everyone is asleep.

 

[PDXModChick]

Quote:
Put her back in at night, when everyone is asleep.

Thank you... I did that and they are still chasing her around the yard this morning and not letting her eat at any of the stations.

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
Put her back in at night, when everyone is asleep.

Thank you... I did that and they are still chasing her around the yard this morning and not letting her eat at any of the stations.

Well since that didn't work and they are already together, there isn't much more you can do but hang on. You could separate her in her own pen and all that, but it seems a moot point now.
It's kinda like with kids - as long there is no blood, let them sort it out. You might try this old trick:

Withhold feed for the last part of the day, and let them go to bed hungry. In the morning, when they are famished, enter the coop and make a raucous din of a noise as you go about feeding them. This distraction along with them attacking the feed - should let the newcomer eat alongside the others. By the time they get enough to eat, so has she.
Since feeding is a bonding activity, it may settle them down and integrate her that much sooner.

It's worth a shot.

 

[cmom]

Do you have certain birds that pick on her? I had a couple of bullies and separated them from the flock for several days before I put them back together. Also I re-introduced them in the yard so the ones being picked on could run away. Also I spread out plenty of treats so the treats would hopefully be a distraction.