Two hens, some blood, one winner.

[rubyandmarme]

Hello,
I have had chickens for years and this fall I lost all but one to predators. I didn't want the remaining chicken to be lonely, so I went against my better judgement and bought a year old hen to put with my 3 year old Americana. The new chicken is a small, docile, red hen with a clipped beak, and my americana is much bigger with a sharp beak and big attitude. I kept them apart for a great while, putting them together for small amounts of time and once in awhile at night. However, the Americana keeps attacking the new gal and drawing blood. I am at a loss what to do, and winter weather is upon us!! Does anyone have any ideas for me? I feel so bad for that little red bird!!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

How long have you been at it? It could take months, and they may never like each other. In my experiences Ameraucana are independent birds that don't mind being alone.

 

[rubyandmarme]

We've been at it for about a month. Should I trim the beak of the old one?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

We've been at it for about a month. Should I trim the beak of the old one?

I have no experiences doing that so I can't advise. I would say expect it to take a few more months before the older one forgets the younger one wasn't there before.

 

[RNPAULIE69]

We've been at it for about a month. Should I trim the beak of the old one?

Trimming beaks as I understand it is a cruel practice. Kind of like declawing a cat ;(

 

[Junochick]

Can you put up chicken wire in the middle of everything so each girl gets 1/2 then can't peck each other. Hopefully sooner than later they can live peacefully together.

 

[aart]

Hello,
I have had chickens for years and this fall I lost all but one to predators. I didn't want the remaining chicken to be lonely, so I went against my better judgement and bought a year old hen to put with my 3 year old Americana. The new chicken is a small, docile, red hen with a clipped beak, and my americana is much bigger with a sharp beak and big attitude. I kept them apart for a great while, putting them together for small amounts of time and once in awhile at night. However, the Americana keeps attacking the new gal and drawing blood. I am at a loss what to do, and winter weather is upon us!! Does anyone have any ideas for me? I feel so bad for that little red bird!!

When they were 'apart' were they next to each other separated by wire so they could see each other?
What kind of housing do they have...coop/run sizes in feet by feet please?
Pics would be a great!

Will put my integration notes below, maybe something there will help.

We've been at it for about a month. Should I trim the beak of the old one?

You might take a nail file and just dull the tip a bit so i'ts not so sharp.

Trimming beaks as I understand it is a cruel practice.

Trimming beaks and de-beaking or clipping beaks (so they never grow back) are very different things. Sounds like the new bird was debeaked, trimming the old birds beak a bit might be appropriate in this situation.


Integration Basics:

It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

 

[getaclue]

Welcome rubyandmarme! aart has given you some good information.