I'm desperate and need any/all advice. I need to give a little back story and I'll include pictures when I can.
At the end of April 2023, we purchased 6 chicks from a local feed store. 2 Starlight Green Eggers ( SGE - 2 weeks old), 2 Black Australorps (BA - 1 week old), 1 Barred Rock (BR - 1 week old), and 1 Dominquie (Dom - 1 week old). We then purchased a coop from TSC (see exhibit A below) that said it would hold 8 - 10 chickens. Being new to chickens, we took them at their word. All the chicks were housed together and got along beautifully until the end of August and the beginning of September.
By mid-July we realized that the small coop would not hold our 6 chickens and that they were too crowded (free-ranging wasn't an option at that point) We started constructing our new chicken coop/run. (see exhibit B below) but could only work on the coop on weekends so it was taking a little time to get everything built.
The problems begin. 1 of our chickens - Goldie (SGE) - pecked the back of JC's (BA) neck and made a raw bloody spot the size of a quarter. I'll include pictures of our chickens with names so you can identify all the "players". My dad (who lives next door) had an old coop at his barn so I cleaned it out, made a few minor repairs, and prepared to use it temporarily. We move 4 of the chickens down there (all of them except the 2 BA's). I kept the injured chicken in the small coop, doctored her wound, and kept the other BA with her as company. All was well. The 4 in the other pen began to lay and 1 of the BA's also began laying. It took us about 3 more weekends to finish the new coop and prepare to move all the chicks in.
Saturday, September 30, 2023, was moving day. We got everyone placed into the new coop/run. They all were checking everything out, etc. At this point, Beatrice (the other SGE) caught sight of JC and ran over and started pecking her neck which had been pretty much healed at this point. I just figured that the flock was establishing the pecking order again. I went to TSC, got some Blu-Kote, and hid the wound. The two SGE chickens seemed to leave the others alone for about 1/2 a day. They then started to bully both BA chickens. Then the other 2 chickens (BR and Dom) got in on the action. The four began to chase the two BA's around, grabbing their feathers as they ran by, jumping on their backs and picking feathers - so NOW I have 4 bullying 2. For a day or so the 2 BA's just hid in the coop and wouldn't come out unless I or someone was there to "guard" them.
I searched the internet and that's how I originally found BYC. I saw some people recommend a "No picking spray" so I ordered that. I received it 2 days ago and applied it to the BA's tail and back as directed. This worked for about 1/2 day. The directions don't say how often or really how much to apply and even though it seems to be made from herbs and oils (i.e. tea tree, rosemary, and peppers) I don't want to over-apply. I also saw where some people have had luck with the pinless peepers. My other thought was to maybe move the small coop (our original one) next to the larger one and place the 2 SGE in there since they seem to be the ones that started everything and have now taught the other 2 some very bad habits. I don't know if the BR and the Dom would then leave the 2 BA's alone or if the 2 BA's would start to stand up to them since it would now be 2 vs 2 instead of 2 vs 4. My thoughts are to keep the SGE separate for about a week and then try to reintroduce them to the flock. I guess my hope is that the 2 BA's, the BR and the Dom will start to get along, and when I put the SGE back in the pecking order will have been rearranged and everyone can be happy together.
I'm so desperate for any help. Did I screw up everything by keeping the 2 separate from the others for about 3 weeks? Did I introduce them back together incorrectly? All 6 of the chickens have now started to lay and when I'm out at the coop/run, everyone is outside in the run and getting along, however, as soon as I walk out, it's chaos. All the girls have unique personalities and I really want to keep all 6 and have them all in the new coop/run. At night, they all go into the coop to roost, and at times even sit next to each other. Most of the time though, it's "birds of a feather" sit together. I really can't express how desperate I am. It upsets me so much to think I did something to cause this or haven't done the right things to get it resolved.
I apologize for the long thread, however, I felt some history/back story was vital. A few more facts that might help. Our new coop is approximately 5'x8' (not sure how tall but my 6'3" son can stand up in it), and the run is 8'x16'. We're also discussing getting some electric poultry fencing so we can free-range them. They have a dust bath and toys in the run to help keep them occupied. I have also included some pictures of the 1st coop, the new coop/run, and our chickens. Any/all help and advice are VERY welcome. Please help!
At the end of April 2023, we purchased 6 chicks from a local feed store. 2 Starlight Green Eggers ( SGE - 2 weeks old), 2 Black Australorps (BA - 1 week old), 1 Barred Rock (BR - 1 week old), and 1 Dominquie (Dom - 1 week old). We then purchased a coop from TSC (see exhibit A below) that said it would hold 8 - 10 chickens. Being new to chickens, we took them at their word. All the chicks were housed together and got along beautifully until the end of August and the beginning of September.
By mid-July we realized that the small coop would not hold our 6 chickens and that they were too crowded (free-ranging wasn't an option at that point) We started constructing our new chicken coop/run. (see exhibit B below) but could only work on the coop on weekends so it was taking a little time to get everything built.
The problems begin. 1 of our chickens - Goldie (SGE) - pecked the back of JC's (BA) neck and made a raw bloody spot the size of a quarter. I'll include pictures of our chickens with names so you can identify all the "players". My dad (who lives next door) had an old coop at his barn so I cleaned it out, made a few minor repairs, and prepared to use it temporarily. We move 4 of the chickens down there (all of them except the 2 BA's). I kept the injured chicken in the small coop, doctored her wound, and kept the other BA with her as company. All was well. The 4 in the other pen began to lay and 1 of the BA's also began laying. It took us about 3 more weekends to finish the new coop and prepare to move all the chicks in.
Saturday, September 30, 2023, was moving day. We got everyone placed into the new coop/run. They all were checking everything out, etc. At this point, Beatrice (the other SGE) caught sight of JC and ran over and started pecking her neck which had been pretty much healed at this point. I just figured that the flock was establishing the pecking order again. I went to TSC, got some Blu-Kote, and hid the wound. The two SGE chickens seemed to leave the others alone for about 1/2 a day. They then started to bully both BA chickens. Then the other 2 chickens (BR and Dom) got in on the action. The four began to chase the two BA's around, grabbing their feathers as they ran by, jumping on their backs and picking feathers - so NOW I have 4 bullying 2. For a day or so the 2 BA's just hid in the coop and wouldn't come out unless I or someone was there to "guard" them.
I searched the internet and that's how I originally found BYC. I saw some people recommend a "No picking spray" so I ordered that. I received it 2 days ago and applied it to the BA's tail and back as directed. This worked for about 1/2 day. The directions don't say how often or really how much to apply and even though it seems to be made from herbs and oils (i.e. tea tree, rosemary, and peppers) I don't want to over-apply. I also saw where some people have had luck with the pinless peepers. My other thought was to maybe move the small coop (our original one) next to the larger one and place the 2 SGE in there since they seem to be the ones that started everything and have now taught the other 2 some very bad habits. I don't know if the BR and the Dom would then leave the 2 BA's alone or if the 2 BA's would start to stand up to them since it would now be 2 vs 2 instead of 2 vs 4. My thoughts are to keep the SGE separate for about a week and then try to reintroduce them to the flock. I guess my hope is that the 2 BA's, the BR and the Dom will start to get along, and when I put the SGE back in the pecking order will have been rearranged and everyone can be happy together.
I'm so desperate for any help. Did I screw up everything by keeping the 2 separate from the others for about 3 weeks? Did I introduce them back together incorrectly? All 6 of the chickens have now started to lay and when I'm out at the coop/run, everyone is outside in the run and getting along, however, as soon as I walk out, it's chaos. All the girls have unique personalities and I really want to keep all 6 and have them all in the new coop/run. At night, they all go into the coop to roost, and at times even sit next to each other. Most of the time though, it's "birds of a feather" sit together. I really can't express how desperate I am. It upsets me so much to think I did something to cause this or haven't done the right things to get it resolved.
I apologize for the long thread, however, I felt some history/back story was vital. A few more facts that might help. Our new coop is approximately 5'x8' (not sure how tall but my 6'3" son can stand up in it), and the run is 8'x16'. We're also discussing getting some electric poultry fencing so we can free-range them. They have a dust bath and toys in the run to help keep them occupied. I have also included some pictures of the 1st coop, the new coop/run, and our chickens. Any/all help and advice are VERY welcome. Please help!
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