We're new to chickens - got our first 3 girls (Isa Browns) about 8 months ago and everything had been wonderful. Until last weekend unfortunately the neighbour's dog managed to dig under the fence and got into our garden and killed two of our three girls. He killed the 2 biggest, smartest, bravest chickens, but the weakest chicken (her name is Beaky), the one who was always bottom of the pecking order managed to hide behind the woodpile in a place he couldn't reach her and she survived. The dog was standing over the woodpile barking and scratching at it, trying to get her, for hours until we got home (we had gone out for the day) and saved her. Beaky was in a state of shock and was clearly traumatised, but we locked her up in her coop to sleep and she survived the night.
We had read chickens don't like to be alone, so I wanted to get her some friends straight away. The next day we headed out to the chicken breeder but they only had Australorps or Rhode Island Reds to choose from. We picked 2 Australorps - they are only 15 weeks old, and considerably smaller than Beaky, who will turn 1 year old later this month. The breeder assured us that because Beaky is now alone she will want to be with the new Australorps and will want to make friends with them, and because the Australorps (not yet named) are so young they won't be dominant. It all sounded good in theory, but in practice it hasn't worked. Beaky won't let the 'Lorps into the coop - she stands at the top of the chicken ramp and if they come near she chases them and pulls out their feathers. then she won't let them near the food. I've put down a second feeder to give them a chance and Beaky runs between the two feeders attacking them both. They were sheltering together under a bush not even doing anything provocative and Beaky runs at them and rips out their feathers again.
I know a basic pecking order needs to be established, but I have also heard that chickens can peck each other to death. I've gone into the garden and picked Beaky up and let the other girls have more freedom, but the 'Lorps aren't familiar with me yet so they run away from me and seem to just hide under the bushes, nestled up together, not even pecking or scratching.
Is there anything I can do to help them settle in? anyone with any advice on how I can help them?
(also, we dug under the fence and buried big concrete sleepers from the base of the fence to about 12 inches down, so I doubt that dog will be back...)
Thanks to anyone who can give some advice!
We had read chickens don't like to be alone, so I wanted to get her some friends straight away. The next day we headed out to the chicken breeder but they only had Australorps or Rhode Island Reds to choose from. We picked 2 Australorps - they are only 15 weeks old, and considerably smaller than Beaky, who will turn 1 year old later this month. The breeder assured us that because Beaky is now alone she will want to be with the new Australorps and will want to make friends with them, and because the Australorps (not yet named) are so young they won't be dominant. It all sounded good in theory, but in practice it hasn't worked. Beaky won't let the 'Lorps into the coop - she stands at the top of the chicken ramp and if they come near she chases them and pulls out their feathers. then she won't let them near the food. I've put down a second feeder to give them a chance and Beaky runs between the two feeders attacking them both. They were sheltering together under a bush not even doing anything provocative and Beaky runs at them and rips out their feathers again.
I know a basic pecking order needs to be established, but I have also heard that chickens can peck each other to death. I've gone into the garden and picked Beaky up and let the other girls have more freedom, but the 'Lorps aren't familiar with me yet so they run away from me and seem to just hide under the bushes, nestled up together, not even pecking or scratching.
Is there anything I can do to help them settle in? anyone with any advice on how I can help them?
(also, we dug under the fence and buried big concrete sleepers from the base of the fence to about 12 inches down, so I doubt that dog will be back...)
Thanks to anyone who can give some advice!
