introducing new birds

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introducing new birds

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speekingtree
Guest

Posted: Fri Jun 17, 05 8:37 pm Post subject: introducing new birds

Hi, I've just purchased 2 more chickens, they're from the same supplier, the same age etc.... I should have got 6 birds originally but my other half convinced me to start smaller so I got 4, but I have so many friends requesting eggs that i need a half dozen a day...... to the problem. I've had the newbies in a wire cage all day in the run (in the shade obviously) to get them aquainted with each other and they all seemed to be getting on fine, well we let them out together about an hour ago and my original four are really having ago at my new birds

They're going for the ruff round the neck but especially pecking the comb. They havn't drawn blood but one of them is starting to look pretty sore. We've made arrangements for them to roost seperatley. What do I do about the pecking? Will they fight to the death, or should i just let them sort it out amongst themselves.... afterall isn't that why its called the "pecking order"? Please help, I havn't been doing this very long and its my first major problem.

thanks in advance

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Fri Jun 17, 05 8:51 pm Post subject:
I've never introduced new birds, but our three hens have lived together for 4 years now and mostly seem like best chums. Then all of the sudden they can start fighting again and drawing blood on their combs. It all heals up and they're best friends again. There's some more comments here: https://www.forum.downsizer.net/about4110.html Good luck!

timberdog

Joined: 16 Jun 2005
Posts: 149

Posted: Fri Jun 17, 05 9:25 pm Post subject: birds
When you introduce either feed the birds to distract attention but they will as they say always get HEN PECKED...LOL till they decide what the PECKING ORDER is..lol . Or place they inside the pen in a small pen so all can see and get used to Tim

speekingtree

Joined: 17 Jun 2005
Posts: 1
Location: somerset, UK

Posted: Fri Jun 17, 05 9:49 pm Post subject: thanks
thanks guys, this is such a great resource and everyone is so friendly i've taken the leap from guest to member!

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