The quarantine of Buffy St.Marie

[austinclarksf]

Recently introduced 5 hens to my flock of two. Originally had two 1-year old hens, introduced two 8-month old game birds and three 3-month pullets. After a week of squabbling, it's mostly settled down. Mostly.

Our original alpha is a tiny rhode island red (Buffy St.Marie) that thinks shes a big chicken. She will not stop harassing the smaller game bird (Grace Slick), and to a lesser extent the pullets. She's taken a liking to the bigger game bird, but has pecked some bald spots out of the smaller girl's wings, and her head is all scrapped up from pecking. She constantly harassing her, jumping on top of her, stalking her, chasing her for extended periods of time. She even makes a point of destroying her nests.

It had been a week, and Buffy was as persistant as ever. So, I penned her up inside the run in a 3x8 space with a little nesting box and food/water. They can see and interact with each other through the 4-inch fencing. I put her in the coop at night because it's the only safe space from predators. It's now been three days, how long should I keep her penned up? Starting to feel bad when I watch her.

 

[Judy]

Isolating her won't work well unless you get her out of sight and sound range for several days. You might consider a spare bathroom if you have nowhere else. Or borrow a dog crate and put her in your garage, carport, utility room, etc.

 

[Roan]

When we introduced our Americanas to our Rhode Island Reds and Plymouth Rocks, we did it slowly. The Americana were younger by several weeks so they were vulnerable to the older breeds (though they were all under laying age).

We kept them completely separated at night. The Americana chicks were kept indoors while the others were kept in a small outside coop and run.

For about a week, we brought the Americanas out and let them run outside the chicken run so that the two flocks could communicate without being able to physically connect. Amazingly, the 'canas were the aggressors. They would often go at the fence in spar mode.

After the week, we started letting them run together for a little while each day (and only while we were there playing "mama hen") and the 'canas found the tables turned on them. The other flocks started going at them and we'd have to shoo them away.

As they got older, and continual exposure to each other, we put the 'canas in a second coop that opens up in front of the first and took away the run. We let the 'canas out then the other flock (the second flock was just under laying age). For several weeks, the two flocks were barnyard rivals. The 'canas were constantly harassed by the others but since they were free-range, they could get away easily enough.

Then one day, an amazing thing happened. One of our 'cana roosters actually roosted with other flock so we knew it was time.

We built a large coop and moved the two flocks in together. After some initial squabbles to establish the pecking order, we now have one nice flock that plays well together and get several dozens of yummy farm eggs for our initial referee'ing.

So basically, like previously posted, take the red completely from the flock then, if necessary, build a temporary run outside the main run to put her in during the day, give them time to get used to being around each other with a fence between them. After a week or so, let them run together by opening the door between the two runs. Don't force them to interact by just throwing them in together. They'll come in and out of the two runs gradually and thus should learn to play nice. But don't be surprised if they still have they're squabbles as they establish the new pecking order.

 

[austinclarksf]

Thanks for the advice!

I'm still wondering, how long should I remove her from the coop entirely, then how long should she be kept separate but visible to the flock? Of course, I'll have to feel it out, but I'm wondering about your experiences (i.e, is it 24 hours or a week?).

Also, everything I have read advises me not to play mama hen or policeman. People say it tends to exasterbate the problem once you leave. Does anyone else have input on this?

This form of 'isolation' seems to be having some effect- the first day or two she would try to charge the pullets or the game bird through her fence, but now they hang around her fence and she ignores them. They even share veggie scraps and treats through the fencing. But, since the consensus is that this might not be the best way to fix my problem, I will see how they do tomorrow afternoon when I open Buffy's pen. If Buffy jumps back in to being a brat I'll remove her completely, and re-introduce slowly.

 

[3 Chicks]

Thanks for posting...I am gathering all the info I can as I am trying (unsuccessfully so far) to deal with my RIR who is acting the same way. I didn't realize they had to be separated from sight and sound to possibly make a difference. Great question about how long to completely separate the RIR.

 

[austinclarksf]

On another note, the woman I bought my chickens from had them all in the same run. Pullets, 5 year old roosters, the game birds, and everything in between. She had four or five 'coops' that were always open, but all the birds shared the space. She did no introduction techniques, and the birds looked healthy and happy. Even though I just 'threw them in together', the rest of my flock only has minimal interest in picking on the pullets (just one peck on the neck when they get too close), I think everyone else should be fine. It's Buffy and Grace that seem to be at odds.

 

[Roan]

Hmm, that's interesting about the open coops and the chickens getting on without any special introductions.

Of course, as I said, in my case, the chickens were all still chicks which is the only reason that I played "mama hen." As for older ones, all I can do is share my experience in the hope that at least part of the technique might help.

 

[austinclarksf]

The jail sentence didn't work. Five minutes after letting Buffy out, she charged Grace from 10 yards away and jumped on top of her, pulling out full feathers. Grace saw her coming and got into the submissive position, but Buffy couldn't have cared less (she's my best layer, not a rooster!).

I'll work on a separate secure area this weekend, and remove her for 5 days or so, and try a slow re-introduction