Strange Integration Question

[meadrian]

I had 3 hens. Two picked on the 3rd till I had to remove her. She has her own run, but the other two were next to each other so they could see each other, but not live together. Sort of like side by side runs. The one who did the most pecking has died. Now I have 2 hens. Each have their own run. Both runs are about 50 sq ft. It's clear who's the head hen and who's on the bottom of the pecking order, even if they don't live together. The do free range together in our yard. Now and then the oldest pecks at the youngest, but no blood, no feather plucking. Do you think it's possible I can get them to live together without one of them pecking the other till her feathers are missing? Guess what I'm asking is if it's reasonable to think these two could live together when they couldn't when there were three of them. Oh - and they're about the same size and age. Thanks.

 

[mommyofthreewithchicks]

I would say yes they can live together. I would watch them the first few days closer than normal.

 

[welasharon]

Won't know till you try! I thought mine would never get along but eventually they did.
sharon

 

[meadrian]

Thank you! I'll give it a try tomorrow and stay in the yard to watch. It just seems like they should be able to. My younger one doesn't run away, but lets the others pick on her, but maybe with just two it'll be different. That and....I'm going to have to sit back and let them work it out. Seems so hard to watch them sort the pecking order sometimes.