New kid on the block

[Scatty Hatti]

Hi all,

Having lost one of only two girls last week I have introduced another. They are of course squabbling - the older hen is chasing the new one (now and then, not all the time) and being aggressive, although nothing major, blood or feathers. I am guessing she is freaking out cos someone new has invaded her space. Does this settle down? How long does it take? Guess theres nothing I can do, just let nature take its course? Feel sorry for the new one though.

 

[Scatty Hatti]

I mean 'no blood or feathers' just to make clear, sorry.

 

[CalgaryFarmer]

It should settle down. Make sure there are places to run behind. The older hen will figure out it is too much effort with no real results. The new hen runs for her safety/life so there is a natural imbalance in motivation.

 

[rosemarythyme]

With only 2 birds, I'm guessing it's not a terribly big set up. Any photos of your set up, and is there actually hiding spots or open space for the new bird to escape from the old bird's personal space (that's about 5-6' around her)?

 

[Scatty Hatti]

Hi and thanks for your interest. Yard is about 25 x 40 feet, with loads of grass, big bushes, nooks and crannies, the coop, an inside store room, gravel paths. The new young hen is getting badly pecked on the back of her neck this morning but youth is on her side - she can run away quicker than the other one and fly up to a bigger height. We are into day 2 now, just hoping the older one tones down her aggression.

 

[LaFleche]

Hi and thanks for your interest. Yard is about 25 x 40 feet, with loads of grass, big bushes, nooks and crannies, the coop, an inside store room, gravel paths. The new young hen is getting badly pecked on the back of her neck this morning but youth is on her side - she can run away quicker than the other one and fly up to a bigger height. We are into day 2 now, just hoping the older one tones down her aggression.

How old is the new girl?

You could crate the old hen in a cage or dog carrier in the coop at night and let her out at noon to give the young one a chance to eat, drink and get aquainted with her new surroundings.

This can tone done the aggression and prevent serious injuries as in the coop the young one is unable to escape from the attacks.

 

[theoldchick]

https://the-chicken-chick.com/integrating-new-flock-members-playpen/

 

[chooki]

Since you only have 2 chickens, most likely they will become pals within a couple of weeks.

If you had more chickens, you original hen would have a choice.

It will take some time for the original hen to accept the new one, but because she has no other flock mate to hang out with, she is more willing to accept the new chicken.

 

[Scatty Hatti]

All wise comments, thanks. I dont have a coop as such - just a big yard (garden) and their hen house (which is inside a shed, so secure). Right now the old one has sneaked off into her usual den for a mid day nap, and the young one is enjoying herself. Its only the hen house at night that may be a big problem - the old one goes in early but the young one, very inquisitive, potters about for another hour at least, then perches on top of a ladder outside when it starts to get dark. I wait for ten minutes then pick her up and put her on her own little perch inside the house (we have foxes nearby) - the older one doesnt perch. I hate to think what happens when they wake up in the morning next to each other but they have survived so far. I am guessing it could take as much two weeks? Someone suggested gently spraying the older one for two seconds if she tries her tricks but I dont want to interfere in what is normal chicken behaviour really, or make her hostile towards me - but would you suggest that? The old one is three and a half, the new one is two by the way.



a few days