One lonely chicken

[Faithcatherine]

Hi, I'm currently in the process of integrating 3 new chickens, two white stars and a black rock, with my existing 2 speckedlys. The new hens are POL and the older 2 I'm not sure about. They're in a brand new, much larger coop and so it's new territory for all.The white stars are doing fine . catching the odd peck, but holding their own. The black rock has found a perch which my older girls have no concept of; they much prefer the ground and have never had such a high perch. The black rock is just sat there and I haven't seen her on the ground at all. I'm worried that she won't intergrate at all if she stays up there. The white stars sit by her if they have enough of the old girls hectoring and they seem chummy, but how can I encourage her to get involved? I don't want her to sit in that perch for ever! Planning maybe to free range on Sunday, once they have their bearings but unsure if that is wise. They've been together in one coop since Wednesday. Any guidance much appreciated! It's the old beta chicken who is doing the worst of the pecking when it does happen. So unsettling as she's usually my sweety girl! ( When I say coop - it has a long run, sleeping area and nest boxes, the perch the black rock likes is outside)

 

[staceyj]

Maybe get out there with them and scatter some delightful treats broadly on the ground.
Maybe an ear of fresh corn broken in half or a slab of watermelon might encourage them to “come to the table together” and give that lonely one on the perch some hydration.

As far as the one who aren’t familiar with roosting, wait until late at night and put them up there all together.
You’ll have to be patient and do this several nights in a row probably til they get the hang of it.

The last option only applies if you have excellent ventilation, a very roomy coop, and it isn’t too hot where you live,
Host a lock in like you do with brooder chicks when the first go out to live in the coop , so they know THIS is YOUR new home.

 

[Faithcatherine]

Maybe get out there with them and scatter some delightful treats broadly on the ground.
Maybe an ear of fresh corn broken in half or a slab of watermelon might encourage them to “come to the table together” and give that lonely one on the perch some hydration.

As far as the one who aren’t familiar with roosting, wait until late at night and put them up there all together.
You’ll have to be patient and do this several nights in a row probably til they get the hang of it.

The last option only applies if you have excellent ventilation, a very roomy coop, and it isn’t too hot where you live,
Host a lock in like you do with brooder chicks when the first go out to live in the coop , so they know THIS is YOUR new home.

Thanks! Tried with raisins and corn this morning and although interested she wasn't risking it. She did follow me across the yard though. Sweet but I don't fancy being a chicken bouncer .

Just to clarify all the girls all roost at night no problems on their sleeping compartment perches, it's just a really high perch in the run my old girls can't get their heads around! I want to keep it like that for a bit longer as it does give my newbies a special place!

Thanks for your post.

 

[Shadrach]

Thanks! Tried with raisins and corn this morning and although interested she wasn't risking it. She did follow me across the yard though. Sweet but I don't fancy being a chicken bouncer .

Just to clarify all the girls all roost at night no problems on their sleeping compartment perches, it's just a really high perch in the run my old girls can't get their heads around! I want to keep it like that for a bit longer as it does give my newbies a special place!

Thanks for your post.

How about getting another Black Rock?
I don't see many people here with them but I know a couple of people in Scotland who keep them.

 

[aart]

They've been together in one coop since Wednesday. Any guidance much appreciated! It's the old beta chicken who is doing the worst of the pecking when it does happen.

3 days is not long.
Did they live side by side, separated by wire, for a time before you let them physically mingle?
How big is coop and run, in meters by meters?
Pics would help.

Not unusual for the low hen in existing flock to be the most aggressive to new birds.
Whether they are trying to protect their present status or just revel in someone lower to beat upon, I don't know, maybe a bit of both.


Some tips and tricks about.....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

 

[Faithcatherine]

Just an update, Ecalir is now fully integrated, it took a while and she's very much near the bottom of the flock but holds her own and is the sweetest, most inquistive chicken. Sits on my feet and follows me around, but does her own thing in the flock oo. Just took time and a bit of pecking and adjusting.

 

[aart]

Just an update, Ecalir is now fully integrated, it took a while and she's very much near the bottom of the flock but holds her own and is the sweetest, most inquistive chicken. Sits on my feet and follows me around, but does her own thing in the flock oo. Just took time and a bit of pecking and adjusting.

Great!
How long did it take?