One chicken is a bully--the problem is that we only have two!

[mikeatlanta]

We live in the middle of the city (atlanta) and got two Americaunas last September that were 5 months old. One died suddenly last weekend and we contacted the woman we purchased the chickens from and she graciously offered to give us another chicken from the same flock--this way they are the same age and breed. Well, we introduced the new chicken at night and unfortunately, the new chicken is just mean and a bully. She has pecked the feathers from the one's neck and it definitely is a little bloody. I feel terribly because we can only keep two in a chicken tractor and the original chicken has no where to run. Does the pecking stop (it has only been two days) or do we need to give her back and just go solo for a while? We heard that chickens like companions, but I think her quality of life would improve if she was not being pecked constantly!

I know there are lots of posts about bullies, but since we only have two chickens and a small chicken tractor, I feel more stressed about it.

Thanks!

 

[Kittymomma]

It's a process and usually goes better if you can pen them next to each other (see, but don't touch) for a week or so before introducing the new one into the coop. In your situation I'd probably take the original bird out and put the new one in the tractor/coop so she could get comfortable before the big introduction. If you can possibly free range them in your yard (under supervision) over the weekend that would be ideal--plenty of room so not as stressfull for the new bird. Don't try that until the new girl has been with you for a couple of weeks though since she might not know where to go home to otherwise.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

You should integrate slower. Get a cage and place it inside the tractor with your existing chicken, and just give them time to get to know each other. There may be a reason she offered so quickly to give you a bird...she may have been getting rid of a problem bird. I hope that isn't the case...just give it time.

 

[Kittymomma]

OH, I forgot....Try hanging a cabbage or a suet feeder in there too. It will give the terratorial chook something else to peck at besides her new coop mate.