Introducing Chickens

[AAJ]

I have 1 year old silkies and 4-6 month old silkies. I once tried to introduce them to my 1 year old hen, but my 4-6 month old rooster tried to fight her. How do I mix them together?
They already live next to each other, but not together. I also have a 1 year old rooster, and he does not get along with the young roosters. How to I mix them? I am running out of room.

 

[TwoCrows]

You say they live next to each other but not with them...Can they see each other? And how long have they been next to each other? It can take a few weeks being on the other side of a fence for them to stop the aggressions toward each other. So 3 to 4 weeks at least before you can mix them.

As far as roosters being together, unless you have enough room for them, they may always be fighting. If you had enough room, they might live peacefully if each one had his own corner, so to speak. Each one would need his own water and feed dish, and his own flock of hens.

If all else fails, you could go the route of "pinless peepers". They stop the birds from being able to aim and fire their beaks off at each other. So you would want to put them on any aggressive birds for a while. Eventually they will get used to each other and you could remove the peepers. I have had great luck with pinless peepers. They stop feather plucking, biting and aggression in it's tracks.

 

[AAJ]

They have been beside each other where they can see each other for 2 months. I only have two hens and four roosters.

 

[TwoCrows]

You may need to do this to a few birds...Pinless peepers. If you can not get it resolved, and don't want to rehome anybody, this will work. They can wear these for a few months till everybody settles in and then you can take them off. Try it on roosters too. It will stop the blood shed.

 

[AAJ]

Thanks, where did you get them?

 

[TwoCrows]

I got them from Randall Burkey.

http://www.randallburkey.com/Pin-Less-Peepers-10-Pkg/productinfo/10096/

They also sell the pliers to put them on easier, however I don't use them. I found by soaking them in very hot water for a few minutes before I put them on, they are plyable enough for me to get them on the bird. I towel the offender up and lay them on my lap. Open up the peepers and put them on. Very easy. Just make sure they are centered in the nostrils or they will come off. Otherwise, the bird can not get them off. It takes the bird about one day to figure out how to see properly, but they get the hang of it quick. And they will remember how to see if you take them off and put them back in months later. They will never forget those peepers. LOL

 

[AAJ]

Are they easy to put on. Like catching the bird to put them on.

 

[TwoCrows]

Yes. You catch the bird and roll them up in a towel and lay them in your lap on their back. Head at your belly. Take the softened peepers and spread apart and put on the nostrils. That is it. It does not hurt them. It takes about one day to figure things out. Actually after about an hour they are pretty much settled in to the fact that these things are going to stay on. LOL

But if you leave them on the bird for at least 1 month or 2, while the new birds get settled in, you can then take these off and there shouldn't be too much aggression if any.

 

[TwoCrows]

Oh, and it does help if you have someone to help you do this. Someone to hold the head still and another to apply the peepers. I have used them enough that I can do it myself. But the first time doing it, it helps to have a helper.

 

[AAJ]

Thanks, but one more question. Is there anywhere else I can find them. Like in a store. If not that's fine. Thanks.