Pecking Order Wars
Well...I had almost given up on peace in this flock. Always seems like someone is chasing "Miss Gray" and attacking her not matter what the situation. She is a very peaceful soul and doesn't stand up for herself. Flock dynamics are very interesting over here right now after being in winter tight quarters.
So..
-2 in the "isolation" pen are staying in the garage with the doors open during the day in a pretty small pen. Since there are fumes in there from some spilled gas, they have to come into the house overnight, then back out in the day.
-So I yesterday I observed the flock without them. I wanted to see if Miss Gray could make peace w/the rooster without those 2. I put her and her friend together with only the rooster in the outdoor run. That bugger was chasing her around and she would always run as the 2 offenders would attack her while he was mating her. So...no offenders...let's see what happens. He goes after her, she submits and he actually just pecked her! Didn't want to mate...just being mean. She goes nuts every time he goes after her thereafter.
-So "Mister" gets locked into the brooding side of the shed. He can see everyone on the other side. He was fit to be tied.
-I let the remaining flock back together which is now 8 of the 11 total. One of Miss Gray's hatch-mates (Bandy...she wears a band because I have 2 little black girls that look quite alike) continues to be agressive toward Miss Gray. Just chasing and attacking for no reason in particular. I put Bandy in with the rooster.
-Now we're down to 7 running together. I let them roost together last night and hang out this morning. I go out to observe. Now Charlie (the lowest on pecking order of the "older girls") continues to be agressive toward Miss Gray...chasing for no reason at all. Nabbed Charlie and added her to the side with "Mister" and Bandy. So now "Mister" has a harem of 2. Still fit to be tied, but getting used to this.
-That leaves 6 girls in the general population with Miss Gray. 1 SFH (her buddy) 1 Red, 1 BR, Bandy's twin, and 1 Charlie Bird (AKA an EE who is Charlie's Sister...are you totally confused now?)
Observing. These 6 seem to be living quite peacefully together. No incidents; just peaceful coexistence.
If this continues, I'm going to have to figure out how to add the others back. I'm thinking 1 at a time later...I think I have a plan. Finally.
@stonykill
