On top of this, we are integrating Goldie and Beaver into the flock. I have done my research on how to do this. My yahoo chicken group has been invaluable in how to do this so they all get along. Here is what I learned:
1) Keep them separated but able to see each other and get to know each other.
2) Keep them in an open space so the one being picked on can escape.
3) Be careful at night when they are in the roost and super confined.
4) It takes time.
And all of these things I blew when we had Daisy and Maisy. Unfortunately Daisy and Maisy also had the taste of blood and even if I started doing it right, it wouldn't have worked.
BUT! I am a new chicken woman. What is interesting, it's Lizzie who is the aggressor this time. She goes after Beaver. And Goldie is the mediator. Goldie will put herself between the two and it distracts Lizzie. I haven't seen Lizzie go after Goldie. Goldie is a big bird, she is the biggest of the three and Lizzie is the smallest, so maybe Lizzie knows she wouldn't win if they really went at it.
So the first week, Lizzie has not been in the roost at night. During the day, for the first few days, I had Lizzie out in our backyard while the other two were in the enclosure. The second picture shows how they kind of just stayed at the fence near each other. Once I saw they all like each other, I knew we were on a good path.
After a few days of that (with Lizzie coming inside at night), I had them stay out in our whole backyard for a few days. Yes, there were a few squawks as Lizzie took a few jabs at Beaver, but one thing, Beaver can run! Plus, the jabs are just pecks. When Maisy and Daisy were fighting it was spurring, like what roosters do. The run and stab another chicken with their claws. It's quite aggressive. No thanks! The pecks Lizzie is taking is normal.
Yesterday, the girls spent the whole day out in the yard. They did fine. When it was dusk, and I needed to go lock them up, it got interesting. Lizzie ran up to me as if to say, "Okay! Ready to go inside with you." The other girls were already in the roost. Okay, another trick I learned, to introduce them at night, turn out the lights. They can't see in the dark. So I pick up Lizzie and she is literally nuzzling and trying to cuddle with me. She even gets on my shoulder. I open the roost so we can all see each other and I turn out the light. It becomes apparent to me that Lizzie has memories of her past encounter in the roost with other birds. She really acts scared. I calm her and I perch her on one of the perches and pet her. The other two are just walking around. There is no aggression, no posturing, anything. So I close the door and listen. Nothing.
I go out a few times to listen, no thumping or squawking. Way late in the night I go out with a flashlight to see. Seriously, everyone is sleeping. Yahoo! I go out this morning, and everyone is still sleeping because it's dark and their little internal alarms say it's still sleepy time.
They are out in the backyard right now. But several observations:
1) Lizzie has chilled out. She is not going after Beaver nearly as much. Maybe a little bit this morning. Beaver and Lizzie can be in the same proximity, even brushing against each other, and no pecking happens. I think that pecking order thing is about done.
2) Chickens are smart! Chickens also remember things, like being attacked in a roost or being taken in at night.
My husband was quite thrilled last night to not have a stinky chicken in the house. Although that smell has been coupled by the cat smell. Our agreement during all this pet turmoil has been I am in charge of the birds, and he is in charge of the cat. I think I have the better job. Dosing cats with meds is not my idea of fun in the least bit! More power to ya hubbie!
The ladies this morning. All hanging out, no posturing or pecking.
This pic is from a few days ago when I had Lizzie outside the coop and Goldie and Beaver on the inside. It's a great example of how Beaver uses Goldie for protection. She is cowering under Goldie.
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