Arboribabe
In the Brooder
I have a friend who recently tried to integrate two lavender Orphington pullets into her flock of RIR's. Unfortunately, these two youngsters were harassed mercilessly and one was injured in an attack. My friend knows that I have a mixed flock of gentle breeds and asked if I would take her to 16 week old pullets.
These two birds are absolutely traumatized by their experience and are having a very difficult time. They cower and hide in a corner and try to escape through the fence. Sometimes they huddle in a nesting box. There has been only mild pecking order activity by my other hens, but none of them pursue or harass the newbies -- just a quick, "out of my way, Newbie" kind of behavior. This, of course, sends them into utter terror and panic because of their previous experience
I'm taking measures to make sure that they have access to food and water, but they don't seem to want to eat much because they are so fearful. I let them out into the yard for the better part of the day so that they can relax and forage, but there are days that I simply can't let them out when I'm away from home.
My question is, has anyone dealt with this level of emotional trauma? Will they eventually be able to relax and just be chickens who aren't chicken all of the time? Is there anything else I can do to help them further? They are very thin and I don't want them to get sick because of the stress.
These two birds are absolutely traumatized by their experience and are having a very difficult time. They cower and hide in a corner and try to escape through the fence. Sometimes they huddle in a nesting box. There has been only mild pecking order activity by my other hens, but none of them pursue or harass the newbies -- just a quick, "out of my way, Newbie" kind of behavior. This, of course, sends them into utter terror and panic because of their previous experience
I'm taking measures to make sure that they have access to food and water, but they don't seem to want to eat much because they are so fearful. I let them out into the yard for the better part of the day so that they can relax and forage, but there are days that I simply can't let them out when I'm away from home.
My question is, has anyone dealt with this level of emotional trauma? Will they eventually be able to relax and just be chickens who aren't chicken all of the time? Is there anything else I can do to help them further? They are very thin and I don't want them to get sick because of the stress.