Why can't we be friends?

[lauramst1]

Hello,

I've been reading the discussions but am new to Backyard Chickens and this is my first post. I hope it's in the correct category!

We have 2 lovely 3 year old hens who grew up together, a Dorking and an Ameraucana, and have lived in harmony until recently. The Dorking started sneezing a few months ago and was untreated until 3 weeks ago after the Ameraucana viciously attacked her. We placed the Dorking in a separate pen and have been administering antibiotics to her to treat a cold. The Ameraucana waits outside the pen all day. Neither hen has laid eggs since shortly after the separation.

As the Dorking has gotten stronger, we have tried to reintroduce her to the Ameraucana, but each time we do, the Ameraucana again viciously attacks the Dorking. Is there hope for these two hens to ever co-exist harmoniously again?

One more detail: we adopted 6 baby Buff Orpingtons who started roaming the yard a couple of weeks before the initial attack. Neither of the older hens appear to acknowledge the newcomers.

Thanks for listening....

 

[Mrs. K]

Harmony between birds is the general arrangement. When birds within a flock begin to fight it is generally caused by a couple of things:

* not enough space
* no hide outs, where birds can get away from each other for a time out phase
* birds have been separated from the flock, and are now considered a stranger

However, not nearly so frequently, the situation you are posting shows up. What was working for a very long time with mature birds, all of sudden is not. When you have older birds these things can cause fighting.
* one bird is secretly sick and dying. The flock begins to shun it, and drive it away.
* Old birds - cranky and forgetful, they forget who their friends are, kind of an alzimers.

I think your situation is a combination of those, the one bird was sick, and then the stranger.

Birds are not long lived, many report on here of very long lived birds, but a lot more birds especially hatchery birds live about 3 years. Persoannly I would not expect the older birds to live much longer, but I may be wrong.

I do not treat for illness, I don't want it in my coop. Being you have the younger birds, I think I would cull both of the older birds. However, you may not feel that way, which is perfectly understandable. However, I don't seem them getting along again a real high possibility

 

[CalgaryFarmer]

There is lots of discussion here on introducing new members to a flock. I would try that. Keep her in a separate pen that is close but they cannot peck at one another for 2 weeks. Then try them together after that.