Pecking Order Problems

[lmsuk]

Hi all,

I've recently introduced a couple of new chooks to our existing flock, and was hoping for some advice around one issue in particular.

A bit of background - we got our first three chickens about 3 years ago. After 12 months one (the smallest and most anxious of the bunch) unexpectedly passed away without any outward signs of illness or issue. We recently built the existing two a new, larger run, and opted to add a couple more to the flock. I'm well aware of the issues to be expected of this, in particular as we live in a Victorian terrace in the UK and consequently garden space is at a premium. This meant keeping them separate, quarantined etc. wasn't an option, therefore we specifically opted for birds we knew had been wormed and vaccinated, and hoped to avoid too much bloodshed by offering distractions.

They spent a few hours out in the garden proper, both the original two (The Colonel and Warmachine) whilst the newcomers (Lagertha and Bequin) were getting accustomed to their new home, and all together. Once they were penned in, the pecking and bullying began in earnest.

As it stands, 4 days in, things are beginning to settle. To help with things they have plenty of distractions (scratch/corn, a couple of hanging cabbages, fresh fruit, a hanging flock block, a pile of straw to scratch about, and plenty of food and water), and although roosting is still a bit fractious The Colonel, Warmachine, and Lagertha appear to have mostly settled into a pecking order. Bequin however spends most of her time either atop the coop, or on top of the bin I keep their feed in, out of the others' way (see pic). She's eating and drinking but is now being targeted by all three of the others.

I'm reasonably confident (or maybe hopeful is more accurate!) that this'll be typical pecking order business and will settle down soon enough, but I'm the meantime should I be trying to force her down to interact more? Is it better or worse to put food and water up there (on the one hand to make sure she does eat and drink, but on the othere potentially encouraging her behaviour)?

I'm aware it's not an ideal situation, however any advice with regards to the above would be appreciated.

 

[ChickNanny13]

It looks to be a bit crowded, would it be possible to remove the food bin placing it outside the run? Would it be possible to put the "coop" outside the enclosure, the opening facing into the enclosure maybe next to that door hinge? IIt's been recommended 4' per bird in the coop & 10' per in the run, what is the size of your enclosure?

Since the 3 are getting along, the 4th may eventually mingle, you'll just need to keep a close watch over the situation that the 3 don't do her harm. She's eating/drinking but probably stressed but could also work it's way out. Fingers crossed.

 

[lmsuk]

The run is approx. 36 sq. ft., and they get time out on the garden whenever possible as well. The coop itself will be getting replaced eventually (it was originally one with an attached - tiny - run). I could probably move the bin out, but the coop wouldn't be practical. As it is they can move freely beneath it, and they seem to enjoy climbing up on it as well.

Touch wood, the pecking, although quite vicious at times, doesnt seem to have done any lasting damage. Both the newbies quickly learned to stay out of the way of the other two to begin with.

EDIT: Better pic of the run itself, giving an idea of the restrictions in space.

Fingers crossed she'll work it out, then - I was mainly concerned as to whether I ought to be encouraging her down or feeding her up there...

 

[ChickNanny13]

Ok, now I see how your space is limited. I wouldn't feed her up there, she's coming down to eat/drink so she's not that "scared". You could try enticing her to come down to join the rest for treats, not feeding her while she's up there. Just need to keep an eye that the rest don't "attack" her causing injury, if that happens it maybe better to rehome her

 

[Chickassan]

I think you should feed her up there where she feels safe.Don't force anything they will work out their chicken problems on their own terms. The reason I say this is if you wait for a low ranking bird to get a turn to eat alot of times it's just not worth the harassment and they just won't try.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I think if she feels safe eating up there, you should continue to let her do so, especially with the limited run space. Even with a small flock it helps to have more than 1 feed station and having it on that second "level" gives her a way to get away from the others and still eat.

 

[ChickNanny13]

rosemarythyme & Chickassan maybe right however I would still try to entice her to come down for treats with the rest, sprinkling on opposite sides of the enclosure & watch the interaction. If she just stays up there, that's no life, set a time period of trying to make them on flock, or rehome her. Then again if all's happy with the way things are & it works for you, no change needed. Good luck.

 

[Chickassan]

She won't stay up there forever, eventually they will work it out. And you are absolutely right a tasty enough prize just might work up some courage in the girl. But you know sometimes you just got to give a chicken the time and opportunity to be well, chicken.

rosemarythyme & Chickassan maybe right however I would still try to entice her to come down for treats with the rest, sprinkling on opposite sides of the enclosure & watch the interaction. If she just stays up there, that's no life, set a time period of trying to make them on flock, or rehome her. Then again if all's happy with the way things are & it works for you, no change needed. Good luck.

 

[lmsuk]

Thanks all for the advice, much appreciated. It seems, slowly but surely, she's coming down and interacting more, although she's avoided the other for so long shes now firmly at bottom and a target for all three. Both the newbies are also getting a real harrying at night - neither go into the coop of their own volition, and I have to keep an eye on them after putting them inside myself to make sure the big Sussex Star doesn't get too mean. (Spoiler alert: she always gets mean).

On the plus side the less timid one is laying eggs in there at least during the day, much more quickly than i had expected, so fingers crossed in another couple of weeks it'll have sorted itself out.