Mean flock

[peeper89]

chickens can be so mean!

 

[azygous]

The chicken social order is more complex than most people think, and chickens often have psychological issues that can make it even more complex as well as making things worse for an individual that is new to the flock.

A new chicken is automatically reserved and careful when faced with a flock that doesn't trust a newcomer. This is okay as far as it goes, but if the new chicken doesn't have the courage necessary to eventually assert themselves, they can become the permanent victim of the more aggressive flock members.

This is why it's important to keep in mind that integration needs to take into consideration both sides of the issue which is to watch out for the newcomer to be sure they are gradually gaining self confidence with their new flock while keeping an eye on the aggressive ones to referee when they are obviously ganging up on the new chicken.

Here's the article I wrote to try to make this two-sided issue easier to understand and deal with. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chicken-bully-chicken-victim-a-two-sided-issue.73923/

While some newly introduced chickens are strong enough to adjust and hold their own with a new flock, others are simply too timid to be able to do it without a little bit of help from the human flock manager. If, after about three weeks after being introduced, a new chicken appears to be losing ground more each day instead of making progress to become functionally part of the flock, it's time to intervene.

 

[lmw411]

So maybe if she accepts the newbie first then everyone else will fall in line.

Maybe! She still goes after her.

chickens can be so mean!

I know!! It's so hard to believe because they are so sweet when the pecking order is pretty established. The original flock basically grew up together so I understand a newbie being so disruptive. I think she is a strong girl though.

 

[peeper89]

is she better now?

 

[lmw411]

is she better now?

Thanks so much for checking back in. Yes! She is definitely at the bottom of the pecking order, and the two roosters will still go after her when they think she is getting food that they would like, but sh comes out of the coop now and eats and scratches She also trails behind them as they scavenge... so all is working well!