Introduction Difficulties

[New Flockman]

We recently introduced four new hens to our now-reduced flock of three; two Australorpes, a hen and a Rooster, and one Buff Orpington hen. We had two other Buff Orps, but behavior issues (constant "Chicken Runs") gradually attritted them via freezer therapy. The Rooster, Max, is magnificent in sight and deed. Olive, the Austra hen was generally docile and submissive with the other Buff Orp hen, Aunt Bea. In fact, that original group (which was introduced from various sources) never had many issues integrating. Then, we introduced a pair of Barred Rock hens and a pair of RI Reds. We introduced them via the dark-of-night method, which has worked for us in the past.. ie wait till dark and roosting, then add the new ones to the roost bar and they wake up together. It went well at first. Olive and Aunt Bea went after the new hens for a while.. as expected but not severely. Bea tapered off but mild-mannered Olive has gradually turned into a hellion and worked up to constantly harrassing the new hens.. now more than three weeks after they started together as a flock. She is particularly mean to the smaller of the Reds, strangely Named Lil' Red. Max has been constantly intervening in these attacks and we have learned another side to him... peacemaker. He goes in and chest-bumps Olive and has even pecked her a few times but if Lil Red gets anywhere near Olive, she gets attacked. We decided a timeout was in order, so we have segregated Olive for almost a week now. As soon as Olive was out, the flock became the picture of happiness. We plan to reintroduce Olive today if the rain will ever quit. Not sure what we will do if she starts up again. We used to like Olive, even though she is a marginal egg producer overall. She is yet young enough for freezer therapy but we like having at least one other Australorpe in the flock and we like(ed) her talkative and inquisitive nature.

Suggestions welcome!

Other than that, we'll see.

 

[kdwag]

We recently introduced four new hens to our now-reduced flock of three; two Australorpes, a hen and a Rooster, and one Buff Orpington hen. We had two other Buff Orps, but behavior issues (constant "Chicken Runs") gradually attritted them via freezer therapy. The Rooster, Max, is magnificent in sight and deed. Olive, the Austra hen was generally docile and submissive with the other Buff Orp hen, Aunt Bea. In fact, that original group (which was introduced from various sources) never had many issues integrating. Then, we introduced a pair of Barred Rock hens and a pair of RI Reds. We introduced them via the dark-of-night method, which has worked for us in the past.. ie wait till dark and roosting, then add the new ones to the roost bar and they wake up together. It went well at first. Olive and Aunt Bea went after the new hens for a while.. as expected but not severely. Bea tapered off but mild-mannered Olive has gradually turned into a hellion and worked up to constantly harrassing the new hens.. now more than three weeks after they started together as a flock. She is particularly mean to the smaller of the Reds, strangely Named Lil' Red. Max has been constantly intervening in these attacks and we have learned another side to him... peacemaker. He goes in and chest-bumps Olive and has even pecked her a few times but if Lil Red gets anywhere near Olive, she gets attacked. We decided a timeout was in order, so we have segregated Olive for almost a week now. As soon as Olive was out, the flock became the picture of happiness. We plan to reintroduce Olive today if the rain will ever quit. Not sure what we will do if she starts up again. We used to like Olive, even though she is a marginal egg producer overall. She is yet young enough for freezer therapy but we like having at least one other Australorpe in the flock and we like(ed) her talkative and inquisitive nature.

Suggestions welcome!

Other than that, we'll see.

I was having trouble with 4 hens who were raised together becoming horribly aggressive. Actually, it was 2 barred rocks that were causing trouble. I tried the isolation method but it never seemed to help and ended up causing other problems. So, i invested in some BlueKote to cover any pecked wounds and a linament called Rooster Booster that has worked the best. The linament is all natural tea tree and calendula oil, they hate the taste so it has helped with the brutal pecking attempts. I decided to just let them work it out and kept a close eye for any injuries that were severe. So far, the brutal attacks have ceased and now I have the chasing and occasional pecking between one barred and the other barred but that seems to be it. I have read different theories and am finding that anytime I intervene with isolation, it ends up making it worse in the end. I never knew chicken behavior was going to be so complicated so since I'm having the problems with the existing flock, I am hesitant to add more like I intended.