The witch

[mscallisto]

So after having some fox trouble and having 2 healing hens on my patio in a crate, I decided I wanted one more to get us through the winter. There's just the two of us. So I adopted a 2 year old copper maran mix. The 2 healing hens are about the same age. Put her in the crate with a divider between the newbie and the two. Everything seemed fine, and after a week I figured I could take the divider out. I figured wrong. Within 5 minutes the maran was jumping on the easter eggers back pecking at her head. I separate with the divider again. Another week goes by, and on a weekend I let all them out and they levetate to the coop. They go in and I close the door. Later I grab them and recrate them. With the divider. Another week, this weekend, I let them out again and they levetate to the coop again. I lock them in again while I'm cleaning the crate, then leave them in the coop for a couple hours. We have a camera on the coop so I check it and she's attacking the ee again. I can see a peck here and there but straight up out to get her. She stalks her. I go out and spray the maran when she goes after the ee, then I leave them be for a bit figuring the maran will be too busy preening. I go out later to cage them again and find the ee hiding in the nesting box. So yet again they are separated.

What's thw deal? I've never had this much trouble integrating. The reason for the crate is the last time the fox attacked he pulled the coop door open. So we are making sure the coop is like fort knox before we put them in there. I clean their cage every day, they always have food and water, and I try to let them out to exercise and forage at least an hour a day. With working we only have the weekends to work on the coop so it's taking longer than I thought. Has anyone had a hen that just couldn't or wouldn't integrate?

 

[CluckerFamily]

My usual integration routine is to keep the new member together but with a divider for at least 3 weeks. And then slow integration, and if something goes wrong, the divider is used for another week. I haven't had to use the divider for more than 4 weeks.
They are figuring out the pecking order. Make sure to have vetericyn and blukote on hand if you are going to put them together.

 

[mscallisto]

Thanks clucker, I guess I'm just being impatient. What's weird is the 3rd is a welsummer and the maran doesn't touch her. I've integrated many times, but it's usually young chickens into the flock. I guess hens are more stubborn.

 

[CannedMonster]

I have found that some birds just don’t fit in my flock. I refuse to keep any that consistently bully or harass others.
You may want to rehome or cull that one and try again. I have found that Marans and Marans mixes aren’t a good fit as they are overly aggressive IMO.

 

[CannedMonster]

Thanks clucker, I guess I'm just being impatient. What's weird is the 3rd is a welsummer and the maran doesn't touch her. I've integrated many times, but it's usually young chickens into the flock. I guess hens are more stubborn.

Could be she has marked the ee as the dominant of the two and is trying to take over from her.

 

[mscallisto]

Thanks canned. I hadn't noticed the ee being dominant, but I had adopted her and 6 others all the same flock and to be honest I hadn't had a chance to observe as the fox tore open the door the same night. My husband suggested that maybe because the ee had wounds that the maran saw her as weak? But the ee is recovering nicely and even started laying again. But you're right. I have 2 8 week olds and one 4 week old that will be integrated soonish and I don't need a bully attacking them all.

 

[CannedMonster]

Thanks canned. I hadn't noticed the ee being dominant, but I had adopted her and 6 others all the same flock and to be honest I hadn't had a chance to observe as the fox tore open the door the same night. My husband suggested that maybe because the ee had wounds that the maran saw her as weak? But the ee is recovering nicely and even started laying again. But you're right. I have 2 8 week olds and one 4 week old that will be integrated soonish and I don't need a bully attacking them all.

Yep I have a no bully policy lol. Is the 4 week old being raised with the 8 week olds?

 

[Punkybrewster]

After you integrate the younger ones sucessfully, maybe try putting them into the coop for a week first to let them become oriented to the coop being their home.
Only then, add the marans. She will be the new bird entering into their established flock. I have found that knocks the dominant bird down a peg or two.
If that doesnt work you may have to rehome her.

 

[mscallisto]

Yes she is being raised with the 8 week olds.