I acquired 3 new adult RIRs and tried to introduce them to my existing flock today. Pony, the dominant girl of my existing flock promptly started a fight with the biggest RIR of the new girls. However, Pony is a rescue from a commercial hatchery so she has a cut beak. Needless to say, she got the bejezzus kicked out of her, but she wouldn't back down. I know they have to work this stuff out on their own, but she was bleeding pretty good so I separated them after just a few minutes. I have another cut beak resuce that started to get into a fight, too and also ended up bleeding. I also have two silkies who stayed away from them, but they wouldn't stand a chance. The new girls are actually very tame and sweet. I knew I should have waited until night time to introduce. Grrrr...my mistake.
Anyway, I separated the new girls into a dog kennel for the night, and put the kennel into the coop with the other girls so they could all see each other and "sleep" together, but not be able to get to each other.
My Questions:
1) How long should I wait before I try to integrate again?
2) Should I do it at night? I'm afraid to leave them alone together without my supervision.
3) When they are fighting and they are bleeding, should I stop them? If so, WHEN should I stop them?
4) How long should I expect the fighting to continue?
5) Is there a possibility that they would kill each other? I would be very sad.
I have successfully integrated on two other occasions without much incident, so this was quite a surprise. I've never had blood before, but I always did it at night.
Thanks, guys for your advice.
Anyway, I separated the new girls into a dog kennel for the night, and put the kennel into the coop with the other girls so they could all see each other and "sleep" together, but not be able to get to each other.
My Questions:
1) How long should I wait before I try to integrate again?
2) Should I do it at night? I'm afraid to leave them alone together without my supervision.
3) When they are fighting and they are bleeding, should I stop them? If so, WHEN should I stop them?
4) How long should I expect the fighting to continue?
5) Is there a possibility that they would kill each other? I would be very sad.
I have successfully integrated on two other occasions without much incident, so this was quite a surprise. I've never had blood before, but I always did it at night.
Thanks, guys for your advice.