Odd roosting choice in recently acquired hen...

[KrisH]

The safe question has been answered, as for integrating, we put a smaller pen inside the chicken house. they can see each other, and interact through wire, but cannot pick on one another without supervision. then during the day everyone is out together, at night when they roost together, we no longer separate them. while picking is going on, separation. it has taken about a week or so to integrate new members with little fussing and no injury so far.

RobertH

 

[JeffOeuf]

Thanks, Kris. I am right at a week now, so we might try the coop tonight or tomorrow.

Sumi, Lost one to a raccoon earlier, and while it did take it a distance off to eat it, there were feathers everywhere that time. That's what has me puzzled...three gone and no sign of struggle at all.

 

[SarniaTricia]

Jeff
Predator birds, Hawks, owl, eagle will take birds with not a feather.... up up and away
I read some were that big cats (wild) will take a bird away... fox? Don't discount the human predator also.... nothing like "finding" new layers!

That sounds so jaded, but I like to consider all the options.

Patricia

 

[JeffOeuf]

I had thought raptor, but can't imagine one taking three in the space of a couple hours, and it would have been an awesome bird, because these girls were more than just a little "fluffy". Unfortunately, I'm leaning toward a two-legged predator theory, but if that was the case, why leave the EE?

Might be time for a security camera or game cam.

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

Sounds like a red fox. They will take as many as they can carry off. And the EE will probably end up bottom on the pecking order do to their docile nature. If they have been free ranging and in run together for a week now, putting them in the coop should have no big fights.

 

[SarniaTricia]

I wouldn't discount the EE quite yet!
My little EE has always been the smallest and the oldest, but boy can she boss around the free range roo and any other bird in that coop! She went broody on me this summer and I put her in the brooder coop after the babies hatched .. when she was done with the kids, she put herself back in the layer coop (did I mention she is an excellent flyer!) and reestablished her head hen spot in record time!

She is a fisty little thing... the only ones that give her troubles are the hormonal boys (they try and chase her down to mate her)... but her Rooster, Blazer, generally takes care of that issue. (and she is fast!)

Good luck on the intergration of the flock... I am sure it will be fine.
Patricia

 

[JeffOeuf]

Well, last night I took the first step and just left the door between the coop and the run open. The new girls voluntarily stayed out on their usual perch. This morning Paula (the EE) was standing in the pop door looking out into the run, and the new girls were just milling around, so it looks like we may be reaching detente.

The red one didn't try for the cedar tree last night, but then, I didn't give her much of a chance. I was out there close to dark encouraging everyone into the run.

Am I nuts for thinking about getting a couple of young (just short of POL) EE's to throw into the mix?