Who ever said keeping chickens was FUN?!

[CarriBrown]

And the BR keeps going up to the RIR and pecking gently at her beak - what's that about??

Sounds like your RIR has taken the head hen position, and the BR is eating the leftovers from her beak like a hen does to a roo.

How do I boss the RIR around? We were pushing her away when she was being a bully.

That's perfect.

We tried today to interact with the Columbian, feeding her from our hand but she's VERY skittish around us.

That is a great way to earn her trust. She is obviously skittish from being picked on all day. Can you remove the RIR from the others for a few days to give the Columbian a chance to establish herself in the group? Even if you just put a wire barrier in the run, that would be fine. The RIR doesn't have to be in isolation.

I'm glad you had a better day today. It's hard when you have all of these adult birds coming together for the first time, even when you are experienced.​

 

[hcammack]

get some scratch grain it is like crack for chickens they will sit one you my hens jump all over me when I have it LOL.

Henry

 

[mylovelyladies]

I have some extra hardware cloth - maybe tomorrow I'll put the RIR in "time out" for the day LOL

 

[mylovelyladies]

Quote:
I have some scratch but hadn't put it out yet. Sounds like I will tomorrow!!

 

[mylovelyladies]

Any idea why the RIR would pick the Columbian to bully around? Would it have anything to do with the rough shape she arrived in (damaged tail feathers, bare neck and breast)? She's certainly not questioning the RIR's head honcho position....

So the BR is just acting appropriately for the pecking order? I'll have to watch closer tomorrow and make sure I see her eating as well. Actually, my dad suggested only feeding them once a day with the rationale that they would all be so hungry that they'd eat and the RIR would be too busy eating to patrol who was at the feeder. Would that help?

 

[CarriBrown]

Quote:
The idea is to give the rest of the ladies time to re-structure their pecking order, then put the RIR back in. That way, she is the new one again and the bottom of the pecking order. But, try that first and see how she does. She may need more than one day of time out, but only time will tell.
I brought two new birds home one time, and one of them did nothing but beat everyone else up. She had to go. But, give your RIR time to settle down. I'm sure everyone is still very stressed at their new home... that is probably why you aren't getting eggs yet.

 

[Moonwalker]

When I put my bantum chicks out with the standard ones I went out to check on them every 30 mins or so to make sure the big ones weren't picking on them and the dog wasn't terrorizing them thru the wire!
When DH can't find me around the house, he knows he can come out and I will be sitting on a chair either in the coop or behind it just watching them.

It's normal, get used to it!

 

[mylovelyladies]

Well, today seemed even better. All the ladies spent most of the day outside and they are finally starting to peck at the treats I put out. RIR is still picking on the Columbian but she's learning to get away....The BR is still the only one that's laying but at least she's laying! Tonight we went out to put them on the roosts to be pleasantly surprised that two were already up there and we only had to move one

The Silkie really doesn't like being outside and seemed pretty stressed by me holding her today. I felt around but couldn't feel anything in her crop and she won't eat anything out of my hand - feed, scratch, celery, worm, cheerios.

 

[CarriBrown]

Have you trimmed the Silkie's puff so she can see? I have one Silkie that needs a puff cut once a month or so. If we don't cut it, she is easily frightened because she can't see anything.
It sounds like everyone is starting to get used to their new digs. Good job!

 

[mylovelyladies]

I haven't done that yet....I guess I will have to try it. Do you think handling her is good or too stressful right now? Today she is outside pecking and scratching around so that's good. Everyone does seem to be adjusting better but I'm still hoping for more eggs!