Matildas Mum
In the Brooder
- Feb 13, 2024
- 2
- 1
- 11
Hi there,
I have been lurking in this forum for a couple of years and have found so much helpful information, but have not been able to find an answer to our current dilemma so I finally joined as I really need advice.
We have two brown shavers, Matilda and Henny Penny that have been together for nearly two years. They have a coop with a large run that I keep them in until around noon and then let them out to free range. We were given two more hens a couple of months ago because a friend had bought them but was unsuccessful integrating them as her hens were bullying them. I was told that they are leghorn/hyline crosses. We set up a second coop and run right next to our other one. The two new hens were very bonded and got along really well. Sadly, one of the new hens (Honey) became very sick and the other hen (Snowy) began bullying her so I brought Honey up to the house and kept her in a crate. After she recovered I set up an area between both runs so she could see all the hens but not have contact. At night I brought her up to the house to roost in the crate.
After about a week I tried to reintroduce her to her Snowy. They had been spending a lot of time together through the fence so I thought they were ready. Snowy began to jump on her back and peck at her head. Everytime Honey tried to escape Snowy would chase her and attack her again. Snowy is about twice the size of Honey so I was worried she would hurt her and removed her. I decided it would be better to integrate her with the shavers as they are smaller and not at all agressive. The first time I let them free range together Honey began to jump on their backs and peck at their heads like Snowy had done to her. I separated them and tried again a couple days later. She was again agressive with them. Everytime I put them together she tries to attack them and they are terrified of her. I tried putting her in the coop late one night and she began to attack them and they ran out of the coop and wouldn't go back in until I removed Honey. I have separated her from them for another week during the day and put her in a crate in the coop at night. At first the shavers didn't want to go in the coop when she was in the crate but have since learned that she can't get them when she is in there. She is still trying to peck at them through the fence and the crate. Also, she escaped from her area today and began to attack the shavers.
I really need advice on how to integrate Honey with the shavers, and once they are integrated, how to integrate Snowy. She is twice the size of the other 3 so I am a bit nervous about introducing her to them.
I have been lurking in this forum for a couple of years and have found so much helpful information, but have not been able to find an answer to our current dilemma so I finally joined as I really need advice.
We have two brown shavers, Matilda and Henny Penny that have been together for nearly two years. They have a coop with a large run that I keep them in until around noon and then let them out to free range. We were given two more hens a couple of months ago because a friend had bought them but was unsuccessful integrating them as her hens were bullying them. I was told that they are leghorn/hyline crosses. We set up a second coop and run right next to our other one. The two new hens were very bonded and got along really well. Sadly, one of the new hens (Honey) became very sick and the other hen (Snowy) began bullying her so I brought Honey up to the house and kept her in a crate. After she recovered I set up an area between both runs so she could see all the hens but not have contact. At night I brought her up to the house to roost in the crate.
After about a week I tried to reintroduce her to her Snowy. They had been spending a lot of time together through the fence so I thought they were ready. Snowy began to jump on her back and peck at her head. Everytime Honey tried to escape Snowy would chase her and attack her again. Snowy is about twice the size of Honey so I was worried she would hurt her and removed her. I decided it would be better to integrate her with the shavers as they are smaller and not at all agressive. The first time I let them free range together Honey began to jump on their backs and peck at their heads like Snowy had done to her. I separated them and tried again a couple days later. She was again agressive with them. Everytime I put them together she tries to attack them and they are terrified of her. I tried putting her in the coop late one night and she began to attack them and they ran out of the coop and wouldn't go back in until I removed Honey. I have separated her from them for another week during the day and put her in a crate in the coop at night. At first the shavers didn't want to go in the coop when she was in the crate but have since learned that she can't get them when she is in there. She is still trying to peck at them through the fence and the crate. Also, she escaped from her area today and began to attack the shavers.
I really need advice on how to integrate Honey with the shavers, and once they are integrated, how to integrate Snowy. She is twice the size of the other 3 so I am a bit nervous about introducing her to them.
