Re-integration Frustration--Please Help!

[Jcat6419]

I have a situation on my hands. I've read the awesome article/threads on re-integration but would like some input for my specific situation if possible please. This process is just starting and I don't want to mess it up! I have some specific questions/concerns at the bottom of my post and would appreciate any/all advice!

Here are the pertinent details:

Flock size: 5 hens

Previous Pecking Order/Description:
#1 - Julia, 2.5 yr old English Orpington, gentle but firm and fair leader
#2 - Chloe, 1.5 yr old English Orpington, frequent brooder, horrible bully (targets Emma/Martha), Zoey's BFF previously
#3 - Zoey, 1.5 yr old Ameraucana, occasional bully (targets Emma), Chloe's BFF previously
#4 - Emma, 1.5 yr old Ameraucana, nervous and flighty, lap sitter
#5 - Martha, 1.5 yr old English Orpington, frequent brooder, sweet gentle fluffball (until recently)

Chloe and Zoey were raised together from hatch and I acquired them at 4 weeks of age. They were raised together as my only chickens until about 9 months of age. At that time, I was moving and my friend (who had hatched Chloe/Zoey) offered to keep them for me until I got settled in a new state. I wanted to add to my flock so we introduced them to Emma and Martha (raised together) who were slightly younger. In spite of being in new surroundings, Chloe was a horrible bully and therefore Julia, an older hen, was introduced to keep things in check. By the time I finally brought them home 4 months later, the pecking order outlined above was well established. I was only planning on 4 chickens, but well...(chicken math) Julia came home with the other girls. Chloe (especially when turning broody) and sometimes Zoey continued to be bullies, but the squabbles were minor in nature; no blood was ever drawn.

Housing: They are currently housed in the secure coop/run shown here (footprint of 5 ft x 12 ft) with approximately 2 hrs supervised free range time per day in my urban backyard. (I no longer have the electric fence set up--I discovered it is illegal (!!)--but could put it back up (not electrified) if it will help my re-integration efforts.)

Feed/water: The flock has been on New Country Organics Grower Feed (19% protein) since mid September when the molting started. It is fed moistened in a large dog bowl, made fresh every morning. I sometimes ferment the feed. They also get a handful of dried mealworms and sunflower seeds every day. They have a Brite Tap nipple waterer on an Igloo cooler and fresh water daily in a 2 gallon bucket. The feed and water are in the run.

Background: The chicken I'm trying to reintegrate is Zoey. Zoey's had a rough time of it lately. At the end of September she was fat and happy, weighing in at 5.5 lbs. Then she got bumblefoot. She was removed from the flock for approximately 3 days, treated (minor surgery, antibiotics, soaks, wrapping, painkiller, etc), and returned to the flock with no problems. Shortly after that, she started a hard molt (her first adult molt) and became very stand-offish with little appetite. About a week later, I noticed her crop was full and doughy (I wonder if the antibiotics played a part but I guess that's a subject for another thread) and I could feel her keel bone. She had lost about 1.5 lbs in less than a month and felt emaciated so I removed her once again. We were having a cold snap so she stayed in the basement in a wire dog crate. After 2 days of treatment (Dulcolax, crop massages, ACV, etc), we had no progress so she went to the vet for 2 days and several rounds of gavage/feeding via tube along with meds to move her gut. No progress so she had surgery--it didn't seem to be an impaction as it was just a lot of feed, a few strands of grass, and some hard berries I identifed as part of the hostas in the yard. She did well and spent the next week in the basement in recovery, eating whatever soft foods I could convince her to eat.

Meanwhile, while my attention was on Zoey, my flock was going through some upheaval, possibly exacerbated by the removal of the #3 chicken. Some new neighbors moved in next door with 4 loud chickens, one of which tried to come into my yard several times (wings are now clipped and no further intrusions). My flock leader started a hard molt, must've felt yukky, and stopped doing her job. Others were at various stages of molting, feathers everywhere! There were some personality changes--the 2 bottom girls, formerly fast friends, started squabbling. We had a cold snap down in the 30s and no one was really eating ANYTHING, just hanging out in the protected space under the coop. They weren't even interested in their favorite treats of mealworms and sunflower seeds! Everyone was cranky at roosting time and wanted to sleep in the nest boxes. No one would let me get close to them and spent a lot of free range time under the bushes. Some BYC research confirmed that this is all part of the molting process so I felt reassured that this was all normal chicken behavior, possibly worse than usual due to the cold snap, the strange chickens next door, and Zoey's mysterious absence.

Re-integration: We had a few warmer days (70s) and I started to feel antsy about re-integrating Zoey before the cold weather came back for good. I was doing a supervised free ranging with her and the others when Zoey viciously attacked Martha. Martha fought back, which shocked me as Martha NEVER fights back. I realized that putting Zoey back with the flock was not going to be quick and easy, so of course I started reading posts/articles here and found some extremely helpful information! I know this can be done, but I want to do it in the best possible way for my chickens. That's why I'm seeking help specifically from those of you who are experienced in reintegrating one chicken into a small flock.

I have supervised them free ranging together for the last 3 days. The 1st day was the worst attack--Zoey made a beeline for Martha, grabbed her, and Martha fought back. I broke it up and kept them away from each other. The 2nd day, I saw Julia and Chloe keeping Zoey in line, Julia with a sharp peck and flogging, Chloe with a chest bump and a quick chase. These girls weigh about 8 lbs and are pretty fearsome. Zoey's now scared of them (when she used to be BFFs with Chloe) and runs off. She mostly keeps her distance from the flock but when they get near each other, she lunges at Martha and it's on! Today was a little better, but they eventually went at it again. I let it continue a little, hoping Martha would concede. Zoey (who only weighs 3.5 lbs to Martha's 7.5 lbs!) had Martha by the cheek. I was afraid she would draw blood so I separated them. Zoey has made a move toward Emma but Emma's like the Roadrunner--she is outta there!

When they're not free ranging, here's the set up I've put together to keep everyone safe for the time being. For Zoey's first day back outside (3 days ago), she was in a wire dog crate a few feet away from the run. The next day, the crate was up against the run. Today, she was inside the run, separated by the flock with a fence section and a box to hide behind if she felt too threatened. It was chilly, rainy, and windy, so the other girls mostly hung out under the coop at the other end. However, I did see Chloe visiting right by Zoey's fence and Julia looked like she was having a serious conversation with Zoey a few times. When I went to free range them this evening, Zoey was standing on the box and looking ready to hop over the fence into the main run!

At night, Zoey has been sleeping inside the nest box (it's a box about 3 ft x 18 in x 18 in that is external to the coop, not shown in pic above) which is now barricaded from the coop with hardware cloth (no one is currently laying). I put a piece of cardboard on one end in case she wanted privacy. Emma and Julia were highly upset--they've been sleeping in there every night! This set up seems to be working out, I just have to get out there at sunrise to move Zoey to her safe run.

Ok, so here are my questions:

1. Should I let Martha and Zoey fight in order to work out the pecking order? I feel like I'm prolonging things by not letting this step complete but I don't want an injured chicken. To me, these attacks look vicious but....I suppose it is completely normal for hens to fight this way. It's a lot of dancing/flapping around and pecking, but it looks serious (and scary) to me when they latch onto each other. Like they would seriously hurt one another.

2. Does the safe run/nest box set-up sound all right for the time being? Or should I let Zoey roost with the others as long as I get out there at sunrise? She has tried to go up the ramp to roost but I've stopped her.

3. Would it be helpful to put the electric fence (or another legal fence) back up to give them space outside of their secure run during the day? I have the welded wire fencing and T posts to build a larger enclosed space but had a rat problem so I never built it. I was afraid rats would get inside the coop. I think I killed all the rats so maybe now it would be ok, at least during the day).

4. Would it be helpful to try to reintegrate Zoey with her old friend Chloe? I tried to free range just those two but Chloe wanted back with the flock. When they are all out together, I notice that the flock sticks together very tightly now and Zoey is by herself. I could try putting Chloe in Zoey's end of the run. I don't think Chloe would hurt her because Zoey accepts her dominance. If I try to re-integrate Zoey with anyone else (Emma for example), Zoey will just beat the crap out of her and Emma is already a nervous wreck with all that's been going on!

So that's it. I am willing to do WHATEVER is needed to help my flock work this out. I want so badly for things to get back to "normal" and I'm really afraid they won't!! Poor Zoey has been through so much, with the bumblefoot, the molt, the surgery, and now this! Oh...she also has to wear a crop bra until her crop starts emptying better. She doesn't like it but...it's for her own good. I'm hoping the flock doesn't notice!


I appreciate ANY advice, feedback, suggestions, etc etc etc.

Thanks!

 

[sunflour]

It is more difficult to reintegrate or introduce a single hen to an established flock. Looks like your set up is a lot like mine. Here's my article on a similar event, although my Penny was only out of the flock for one week - the longer the absence the more difficult it can be.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/reintegrating-a-recovered-hen-to-a-small-flock.69359/

IMO find a way to segregate her from the others - the dog crate in the run worked well for me. Put up a make shift protected out of the coop/run area to give them more room during visitation. Get the bully blaster or just a garden hose, it does work. when the "attacks" are not serious, then you can move further away in your observations.

Good luck, this experience was very frustrating but once I realized it would take a long time and got patience, things did progress a lot better.

 

[Mrs. K]

One of the things I notice in your set up, is the run is mostly 2 dimensional, a wide open space. When you keep birds mostly in confinement, it is beneficial to add some hide outs into the run, some roosting bars, where they can sit and sun them selves. You need to look at the third dimension, and look up. Leaning a pallet up against a wall with both edges open, can let birds get away from each other. Stacking some straw bales so birds can hop up and down. A pallet up on bricks that birds can get under in the shade or up on top of to sit in the sun. A small wall, say 2-3 feet square to make a small wall, maybe kitty corner, an old piece of plywood, with a feed station behind it, out of sight of the main feed station. This may make your run look crowded, but your birds will be more entertained, and generally get along better.

One thing I hear in your post, is that there is a lot of tension in your flock. Wishing they would all go back to being nice, may not work. I always try and solve for the peace in my flock. I would try adding stuff to the run, and the expanded area too. 2 hours of free ranging leaves 22 hours too tightly confined. Not a real solution to over crowding, and you are over crowded or close to it. Sometimes you can cheat on overcrowding, the long days of summer, but in the short days, and long nights of winter, I like to reduce my numbers to give more space to each bird.

If the other four are getting along, I would cull the sick bird. We all do things differently. I can see that might not be an option for you. But I do see there is a real possibility that these 5 might not work together. Try some of the suggestions and re-evaluate.

Good Luck,

Mrs K

 

[aart]

3. Would it be helpful to put the electric fence (or another legal fence) back up to give them space outside of their secure run during the day? I have the welded wire fencing and T posts to build a larger enclosed space but had a rat problem so I never built it. I was afraid rats would get inside the coop. I think I killed all the rats so maybe now it would be ok, at least during the day).

Yes.
Especially if you add some distractions, things to climb up and under/hide behind, etc.
Did they used to spend most their daytime inside this fence?

 

[Jcat6419]

Yes.
Especially if you add some distractions, things to climb up and under/hide behind, etc.
Did they used to spend most their daytime inside this fence?

Not all day as we had Cooper’s hawks raising young in a tree 2 yards down and I was afraid they would be attacked. They had about the same time out of the secure run (2 hrs) but then I realized they preferred being able to get under th bushes and trees so I took the fence down to give them access to those areas. There is still a privacy fence around 1 side and the back of the yard, a picket fence across the front and a 4-5 ft brick wall on one side. However there is no protection from hawks. I have the knotted bird netting so I will construct a run surrounding the current set up and cover the whole thing with the netting. It will be about 25 ft x 50 ft. And I will provide more stuff in the secure run. I have the swing I never put up and some 2x4s for roosts. Thanks so much for your help!

 

[Jcat6419]

One of the things I notice in your set up, is the run is mostly 2 dimensional, a wide open space. When you keep birds mostly in confinement, it is beneficial to add some hide outs into the run, some roosting bars, where they can sit and sun them selves. You need to look at the third dimension, and look up. Leaning a pallet up against a wall with both edges open, can let birds get away from each other. Stacking some straw bales so birds can hop up and down. A pallet up on bricks that birds can get under in the shade or up on top of to sit in the sun. A small wall, say 2-3 feet square to make a small wall, maybe kitty corner, an old piece of plywood, with a feed station behind it, out of sight of the main feed station. This may make your run look crowded, but your birds will be more entertained, and generally get along better.

One thing I hear in your post, is that there is a lot of tension in your flock. Wishing they would all go back to being nice, may not work. I always try and solve for the peace in my flock. I would try adding stuff to the run, and the expanded area too. 2 hours of free ranging leaves 22 hours too tightly confined. Not a real solution to over crowding, and you are over crowded or close to it. Sometimes you can cheat on overcrowding, the long days of summer, but in the short days, and long nights of winter, I like to reduce my numbers to give more space to each bird.

If the other four are getting along, I would cull the sick bird. We all do things differently. I can see that might not be an option for you. But I do see there is a real possibility that these 5 might not work together. Try some of the suggestions and re-evaluate.

Good Luck,

Mrs K

Thanks so much for your advice! I have a swing to put up, some roost bars, and other structures. I see how it will make things more interesting for them, which is needed especially with winter/shorter days and the tension among flock members. I’ll build the larger run too and give them more space/time apart from each other. I’ll re-evaluate after giving this some time. I don’t want to cull her but I see what you are saying. Thanks again!

 

[sunflour]

Thanks so much for your advice! I have a swing to put up, some roost bars, and other structures. I see how it will make things more interesting for them, which is needed especially with winter/shorter days and the tension among flock members. I’ll build the larger run too and give them more space/time apart from each other. I’ll re-evaluate after giving this some time. I don’t want to cull her but I see what you are saying. Thanks again!

Listen to aart - adding levels to my coop has allowed integrating newbies
If you have even an old wood ladder or table/chair, go ahead and place it in there.

 

[Jcat6419]

Listen to aart - adding levels to my coop has allowed integrating newbies
If you have even an old wood ladder or table/chair, go ahead and place it in there.

@aart, @Mrs. K, @sunflour
I’ve had lots of ideas to build different levels in the run but I was worried the girls would injure themselves jumping down. There have been some bumblefoot issues so I was concerned about making that worse. How high should the levels be, or should I have different levels placed so they are able to jump from level to level? My 3 Orps might be too heavy to get up on any level without a ramp! Should I make some shelves/roosts only a foot off the ground?

 

[aart]

They don't need to be real high, could add a ramp too.
Your main run is kind of small to add much,
height of stuff is often limited by 'jumping down' space.
Best addition might be a solid board as a lean-to against wall,
both ends open so no 'trap',
providing a break in 'line of sight'.

Any chance at all of building a mesh covered run extension?
You said you had some Tposts and welded wire.
Maybe do a hoop coop type construction.
What kind if welded wire do you have?
Gauge and size of mesh openings?
How many Tposts do you have?

What is your climate, add your location to your profile?

 

[sunflour]

@aart, @Mrs. K, @sunflour
I’ve had lots of ideas to build different levels in the run but I was worried the girls would injure themselves jumping down. There have been some bumblefoot issues so I was concerned about making that worse. How high should the levels be, or should I have different levels placed so they are able to jump from level to level? My 3 Orps might be too heavy to get up on any level without a ramp! Should I make some shelves/roosts only a foot off the ground?

What is the "base" in your run? Dirt, sand or other?
My 4 1/2 year old BO can jump an outdoor roost over 2 feet high. I would place things at least 18 inches so they can walk under them.

Make sure their roosts are not treated lumber - the only bumble foot I have had in mine was when mine were painted - treated lumber and use wore through it