Suggestions for my dysfunctional bird family

[mamaKate]

This is pretty complicated. Here goes. Last spring I wanted 2 pullets- RIR&BO. I bought them at Orsheln's and of course the BO turned out to be a rooster. Thinking 1:1 was a bad ratio, I bought 2 month old BO pullets from the sale barn in Aug. Within days of their isolation they became very sick. Several months later, they seemed to be well but fragile. I tried to introduce them to my pair and the RIR hen HATES them. Even though I gave them weeks to get acquainted through the fence, she beats them up while the roo is mating them and then corners them and continues the fight. I also picked up an EE pullet and male guinea keet in Sept. The red hen hates them ,too, although she can't do as much harm because they're stronger and faster than the sweet BO's. Just to make it worse, the guinea and his EE "mom" unmercifully harass the weaker BO. Sooo---I'm keeping 6 birds in 3 different areas. Any suggestions? I can't just let them fight it out. These guys are serious.

 

[Mahonri]

Sounds like it's time to rehome the lot and start over with new chicks.

 

[Laney]

I would do one of two things:

Re-home the mean RIR and the Guinea and keep the BO's. Temperament means a LOT with chickens as far as I'm concerned. That RIR is going to beat up on any weaker bird you bring in. That means no smaller birds, ever. It also means that she may kill any birds that get ill or injured before you get to them.

My second choice would be to re-home all of them and start over. Depending on if you want to be out of eggs for a period of time or not, I would do that in stages starting with the RIR. You never want to keep an aggressive chicken, it's just asking for trouble.

This is of course, just my opinion, you could always get rid of the BO's and buy adult RIR's......but I would not go that route.

Laney

 

[mamaKate]

Thanks, I'm sure your both right. I'm not much good at that sort of thing, though. I've drawn up plans for a 3 way coop. I imagine I'll start building this week if it doesn't snow.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

I would pull the RIR for a week or so. Make her live alone but within sight of the others. Then reintroduce her when free ranging.

Good luck.