Need some advice on "pecking order"

[sssharon]

SDDIVER, I agree about getting rid of the troublemakers. I had three leghorns that were big trouble makers that would make the rest of the chickens miserable and I finally just got my fill of them and got rid of them. If you like your black chicken a lot I would just keep her and get more like her if you like them. She looks like a coachin to me too and I've heard they're real nice chickens, I wouldn't mind getting a couple of those myself.I think it's just a process of elimination if you can have some that you get annoyed with them they don't make you happy I think that's the best thing to do just get rid of them replace them with something nicer. That's just my personal feelings. Good luck to you with that.

 

[Betsy57]

I just introduced 7 new hens into an existing flock. The existing flock are 2 years old and 9 of them. The new hens are 1 year old. I let the old gals out of the coop and kept the rooster in there and then put the new gals in there so he could introduce himself to them. One hen really laid into him! So after about an hour, I let them all out. There were some fights Sambo manned up and broke up the fights. He has his "hands" full right now trying to manage these gals. He has had it easy for so long he got lazy. So we'll see how they do tonight when I lock them up in the coop. I've done this before and there are some fights until they establish the pecking order and get used to each other. So I hope this goes as well as it has in the past.

2 days and all is going well. I have two separate areas for my chickens. I had a Big Bertha the Bully (Lavender Orpington) who was really mean to one hen in particular. I moved her and her gang of 2 into the other area and they're no longer bullies.

 

[jacobanarchist]

the hen is probably a silkie cross and try putting her in seperate if theres any wounds on her if not shell be fine

 

[SnackHouse]

Hi! I'm so sorry to hear your story; I really hope that you do not have to give up any of your girls. One technique that I have tried with other animals is a split cage habitat. It sounds as though you have ample space to split between the girls. I know that this requires work but hopefully it will be best for everyone Id place the orpington and the black cochin? together and the other two can be on the opposite side. It is ideal if the two sides can share a wall/chicken wire so that they can see eachother and have interactions. Everyday or so I'd switch the chickens into the other's "territory" and their spaces so that there are no claims to dominating one space. Gently begin to reintroduce the chickens altogether while in your company...if all goes well after a month or so or you feel secure with the treatment then you can begin to keep them altogether! I hope this helps

 

[sra0304]

Keep us posted please. It's so darn frustrating when they act like little fluffy brats. Using the time out thing, we now have 24 layers in our mixed flock, all getting along. The polish get their own condo.

Mrchicks - LOVE your profile pic! I've got a flock about the size of yours - but they are all babies and several different breeds. I am dying to add a Silver Polish to the group, but was curious about your statement. Are Polish too delicate to go with a mixed flock? They are by far the most beautiful chicken I have seen in pics!

 

[Angie16hearts]

Lots of great information! My experience has been to keep the hens I really like and I find a new home for the mean hens. I recently gave away 3 RIR. To a great home!! As soon as I gave then away my flock tamed quite a bit. I only had one more I got rid of. She was a GLW and would bite any hens head while my Roo did his thing. Or she would just walk by any hen and rip feathers out for no reason. Someone awhile back told me to make my flock the way I want it. So if I have bullies either lock them up or find a new home.

As for your black one I cannot see the pic clear but if it is a Austalorp they tend to be very friendly which does them no good in the flock. I would never get rid of my Australorp !!! She's to dang sweet. Plus she's a broody!
Long story short, finding new homes and keeping my 6 favorite ( who will always be in our family) worked the best for us!

Now all 4 hens I gave away are happy! I speak with thier new owners and they are either top or high up in the pecking order.

Good luck!

 

[mrchicks]

Mrchicks - LOVE your profile pic! I've got a flock about the size of yours - but they are all babies and several different breeds. I am dying to add a Silver Polish to the group, but was curious about your statement. Are Polish too delicate to go with a mixed flock? They are by far the most beautiful chicken I have seen in pics!

Thanks! She's my little pal, and was about 6 weeks in that picture. Of all of our birds, that is the one that follows me everywhere, babbling to be picked up and carried. Even hubby has been spotted toting her around. My Polish have their own coop because big gals tend to pull their crests out. The polish are a gentle natured bird and can't hold their own in a squabble. I do know that some people do keep them in a mixed flock, but we have never been successful doing that. So they have their own coop and covered welded wire run. As they can't see that well, we lost a few to predators, which is why they are in a very secure area now unless one of us is right there in the yard.

 

[spoikey]

Low chicken on the pecking order can also be caused by a chicken that is different from the rest. I have one white rooster that gets picked on simply because he's the only white chicken I have. I also had an olive egger that was different from the rest and she was picked on also. I have found it's best to have at least two of each kind or coloring. Meaning if they don't stand out from the rest they won't be singled out.

 

[Angie16hearts]

Low chicken on the pecking order can also be caused by a chicken that is different from the rest. I have one white rooster that gets picked on simply because he's the only white chicken I have. I also had an olive egger that was different from the rest and she was picked on also. I have found it's best to have at least two of each kind or coloring. Meaning if they don't stand out from the rest they won't be singled out.

Very interesting because the lowest in my flocks pecking order is the only black one.

 

[chicken04]

PUt more than one feeder and waterer in the coop so if the nice bird can't eat at the feeder with the mean birds it can go to the other one and then she won't get picked on as much.And make sure there's lots of perch space so they don't have to sit by one another or else the mean ones will kick her off.Good LUCK!