Polish Thread!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Chicken5555]

I found that mimicking the challenge stare works. You basically just give him the evil eye until he backs off.

 

[jenniferlamar70]

I found that mimicking the challenge stare works. You basically just give him the evil eye until he backs off.

I'm not for sure but I've read you shouldn't do that because it makes them think you are another rooster. I read you want them to treat you like a human so they are non threatened. Something about them challenging you if the think your a rooster. I've been doing loads of research. We plan on adding a rooster only flock this year. Not sure how it will work out yet but so far all my research sais it's possible if done right. I'm a book worm so I'll be reading this subject to death lol

 

[Chicken5555]

oh, ok. thanks. I'll stop that then.

 

[JnK1]

A friend has 20+ hens along with a rooster, but unfortunately one Polish in particular was being really badly bullied by everyone else.
They'd ripped loads of feathers out and had left her a nervous wreck with almost constant aggression toward her. So, we've taken her in to our modest flock in the hope that she has a better time of it.

We named her Oreo, and this is her just before we put her in with our sleeping hens.

Despite a few 'pecking order' incidents she seems to be settling in, and doesn't seem as nervous or skittish.
Anything we should be wary of? Any tips on helping to integrate a new bird to a flock?

 

[jenniferlamar70]

A friend has 20+ hens along with a rooster, but unfortunately one Polish in particular was being really badly bullied by everyone else.
They'd ripped loads of feathers out and had left her a nervous wreck with almost constant aggression toward her. So, we've taken her in to our modest flock in the hope that she has a better time of it.

We named her Oreo, and this is her just before we put her in with our sleeping hens.

Despite a few 'pecking order' incidents she seems to be settling in, and doesn't seem as nervous or skittish.
Anything we should be wary of? Any tips on helping to integrate a new bird to a flock?

Make sure you have more then one waterer and feeder set about the coop. Sometimes the ones higher up in the pecking order will keep the new Comer from the food and water. Also it's good to make a few hiding places for the newbie just in case she needs to get away. Good luck.

 

[Agarrard]

I'm not for sure but I've read you shouldn't do that because it makes them think you are another rooster. I read you want them to treat you like a human so they are non threatened. Something about them challenging you if the think your a rooster. I've been doing loads of research. We plan on adding a rooster only flock this year. Not sure how it will work out yet but so far all my research sais it's possible if done right. I'm a book worm so I'll be reading this subject to death lol

I totally agree! This is my first season with chickens and a rooster that has started to challenge me. He has his chompy moments or where he will tap dance around me. He's just at 16 weeks and is testing me. I just ask him what his problem is and pick him up and talk to him in a calm voice. Staring him down only makes him react more. I recently read an article about not mimicking or acting like another chicken that made a lot of sense. It mentioned that the pecking order or trying to establish a top position can take place daily so you want to take yourself out of that chicken game. So far I have seen less aggressive behavior and I think holding them really helps. If you flip them on their back, they will calm down a lot too! Apparently you can "hypnotize" chickens. Here is the hubby doing it.

 

[jenniferlamar70]

I totally agree! This is my first season with chickens and a rooster that has started to challenge me. He has his chompy moments or where he will tap dance around me. He's just at 16 weeks and is testing me. I just ask him what his problem is and pick him up and talk to him in a calm voice. Staring him down only makes him react more. I recently read an article about not mimicking or acting like another chicken that made a lot of sense. It mentioned that the pecking order or trying to establish a top position can take place daily so you want to take yourself out of that chicken game. So far I have seen less aggressive behavior and I think holding them really helps. If you flip them on their back, they will calm down a lot too! Apparently you can "hypnotize" chickens. Here is the hubby doing it.

Lol we do that too haha. I also watched a video saying you can make them laydown and then gently petting them helps. It also teaches them your alpha while at the same time teaching them to trust you. Roosters are really amazing. I'm learning so much. I've truly come to love them, maybe more then the hens lol..

 

[JnK1]

@jenniferlamar70 thanks for the tips. We already had a bit of extra pecking, so increased the run size and made sure we had two feeders and drinkers that are all a decent distance away from each other.
To be honest, the slightly erratic behaviour of Oreo has the other hens a bit stumped at the moment. Maybe she'll be left alone long enough to settle.

 

[Chickensfan]

That's great!!

I'm definitely going to keep that little trick in mind lol.

good idea!

 

[Chickensfan]

I found that mimicking the challenge stare works. You basically just give him the evil eye until he backs off.

i might try that one day if needed.