More integration advice needed.....

[Gatorpupsmom]

We got 2 cochins to add to our flock of Delawares and Australorps. We have our chicken house divided up into 2 sections, so when we started the integration process, we put the cochins in one side by themselves, then eventually put them in with the rest. The older chickens picked at them, but things seemed to be settling down. That is, until we came home one evening and found that the barred cochin had been pecked horribly, and she had a pretty gruesome looking wound on her back. We treated with Furall, and it has healed surprisingly well, considering what they took out of her.

We thought the root of the problem was an aggressive male guinea, who was beating up pretty much everyone he could. (Okay, we didn't know he was a male, and didn't know he'd be such a terrorist, but he's gone now. Don't have to worry about that factor anymore.) We've tried once to put the barred cochin and her companion back in with the rest, but they started right back in on the barred. When we first tried to move her back in, her feathers hadn't really grown back, even though the skin didn't look like hamburger any more.

I read in another post where someone suggested moving the rooster in with the picked on chicken so he would start protecting her. This would be an option, but should we wait until her feathers have grown back in before we start this? Any other suggestions on the best way to get them to "getting along?"

Kim

 

[crazyhen]

I have never tried this but would a chicken saddle help any. Are they just pecking at her back? I have not had this problem YET! but could any day. Maybe its because she has a wound now. Who can fathom a chickens brain? I was unaware last year that I would one day have a problem bringing new hens in. My brahma hens chase my buff orps who are 19 weeks now. No major damage yet. they share a yard but not the coop yet. I want them to have a bit of getting use to each other first. Jean

 

[Lollipop]

Won`t work Mom. Rooster won`t intervien in a hen scwabble. Best to keep them apart until the cochins are older and completely healed. Then when you do the deed, you have to make sure there is plenty room for escape. the older girls will tire of the chase and things will be better.

 

[Mrs MIA]

It helps to put them in at night, too, so they all wake up with new roomies and none-the-wiser. I just put 4 millies out last night with their moms and dad, and this morning they're doing fine. (knock on wood).

I agree... I would wait until she's healed completely before putting her back out.

 

[cmom]

I put them together in the yard when they range and spread plenty of treats about so they concentrate on the treats. I would wait awhile until she is healed.

 

[Gatorpupsmom]

They are making me crazy!!! We housed them side by side, then let them run together in the big yard, then moved the cochie girls in the big roost. They had been living together for over a week when the first injury occurred. The older girls hadn't been out with them for a while, and today I let everybody out into the big yard. The older girls are still being such beasts to them!!! They chase them all over the place. The cochins are about 3 1/2 months old now...will they eventually get big enough to stand up to them and fight back, or will the older girls have their bluff in on them so much that they beat them up from now on?

Kim

 

[chookchick]

3 1/2 months is still kind of young. Can you keep them separated for another month, but still visible? Free-range together if you can.