Bluebell aggressive??

[ylreveB]

Hello
I believe I found a blue bell in my backyard, so I gave it a home. It looks people friendly, So I went to find a friend for the bluebell, It did not go so well. The bluebell was picking at the other chicken and I had to go in there and separate both chickens.

Are bluebells normally aggressive??
Is there a certain chicken breed that would go well witg the breed??

The bluebell looks young, but the chicken I got for her is younger.
Should they be the same age?

I know nothing about the bluebell, I found in the backyard that's all I know. Not for sure if is a bluebell but it looks like one. If someone could help me I would appreciate it.

Thank you..

 

[fried green eggs]

I don't know about Bluebells but, intigrating and putting new chickens together normally goes well if, they are divided by fence but can still see each other for a few days then after they need to work out pecking order. Good Luck.

 

[Vicky2479]

I don't know about Bluebells but, intigrating and putting new chickens together normally goes well if, they are divided by fence but can still see each other for a few days then after they need to work out pecking order. Good Luck. 

This is a good idea, but when you do put them back together expect some squabbaling, I only intervene if it looks like there will be blood shed. They need to work out who is boss, but they usually need to have a flock,be that 2 or 222 birds so most likely they will sort it sooner rather than later. Hope it works out

 

[ylreveB]

My bluebell was picking at the small chicken, well i decided to sit in the cage with them. Every time my bluebell picked at the other chicken, i gave it a nudge and said NO. Let me tell you the bluebell stopped after a while. And every time she tried i would say no. I just want my birds happy..

 

[chicken95]

Hi, i dont wish to hi-jack the forum but I have just aquired 4 bluebell hens which are in a flock consisting many different breeds but the blues seem to be very aggressive towards the others could someone please tell me are they usually agressive?
thanks

 

[skyblu]

I have a couple of bluebelle girls in my flock and one is top bird - I thought perhaps she was a little harsh on newcomers at times, so kept an eye on her; but her 'firm but fair' behaviour never progressed into bullying, she just keeps her flock in order and lets newcomers know who the boss is. So no, I don't think they are aggressive, just not one of the most submissive breeds out there and perhaps one of the more likely breeds to become top hen.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

I'd never heard of Bluebells, so I must admit,.I had to Google them. Apparently they are the result of mixing a Marans and RIR. That being said, I've seen alot of people post up about how aggressive those two individual breeds can sometimes be. So, if the hatchery that's making these birds isn't selecting for temperament on both sides of the breeding equation, that can be a recipe for disaster IMO. Their picking could be normal pecking order stuff, or it could be the result of poor breeding....
Nikki

 

[chicken95]

Thanks a lot they are not aggressive towards people but they are always trying to be top hen

 

[AmberRex]

You should try to introduce chickens to each other at night time this way they can hear each other but cannot see to attack each other. It means that the newbies get a feel for being inside your coop also. There is always a bit of squabbling among new birds and old but they eventually sort themselves out. Normally only roos start blood shed wars. I haven't found bluebells to be particularly aggressive they do like to be up the pecking order my blueb's have never fought excessively for it. They are no nonsense but aren't prone to bullying but then i also keep a few ex caged batteries for eggs and they can be really aggressive towards others especially ones that are smaller than them and my banties like to put newcomers in their place but that is only so they aren't shoved to the bottom rung as they are so small. So perhaps my idea of aggression is a bit skewed.
Hope this helps!

 

[sumi]

I had 2 Bluebell hens along with a few Leghorns, a RIR hen and some bantams. The Blues were not top of the pecking order, but they were not bottom either. They got along well with everyone else, showed no aggression and I found one to be very, very friendly while the other one was more skittish. Like us humans they have their different personalities.

I think in your situation the hen was simply sorting out her position in the pecking order. She was there first and she wants to be on top. You did not say how old the new chicken is, but if she's more or less the same size as the Blue she should be fine. With most chickens, regardless of breed there will be some squabbling when you introduce new members to an existing flock. Ideally you should keep them separate, but within sight of each other, for a few days at least before letting them free range together or like the above poster suggested, coop them up together at night. I have not tried the coop up method myself, but I found free ranging them together works well.

I would also suggest, if you haven't already, that you deworm the Blue (and the newbie since they've been in contact) and dust for mites as a precaution, since you don't know where she's been and what she may be carrying. Chickens can carry all sorts of nasties without showing any sign of it. I learned that lesson the hard way!