Rangers

[spud57]

Hi Everyone

We have just got our first chooks - one copper black, one black/bluebell cross , one light sussex and one ranger. The first day and the ranger seems to be picking on the 2 blacks.. :-( they were all unknown to each other before so there was no established pecking order and all supposed to be the same age. Is this something to worry about? Will the blacks still be able to feed and drink? The sussex doesnt seem to be worried about her. Please help!!

[Nicos]

They're just sorting out their pecking order

Just make sure there are alternative places for eating and drinking so that none of them are missing out by one of them hogging them.
Also watch out for drawn blood- it's a cannibal magnet ( you can get 'purple spray' from most equine/farm stores if needed)

Not easy to watch is it????

[Glutton4...]

They should sort themselves out. Once they have slept together for a few nights, they will settle, but you will probably always have a boss Hen. If it doesn't calm down after a few days, you could try a diluted vinegar spray, and spray them all. I have heard it helps integrate new birds into an established flock, as they all then smell the same. Good luck with them!

Oh, and don't forget to add them to the 'How many Chooks' thread, and, above all, remember we NEEEEEED piccies! Coz we're nosey!

[Nicos]

Coz we're nosey!

Who is ????

[sheena]

Coz we're nosey!

Who is ????

That would be you, him, her, the person in the corner who don't have much to say but you know they are secretly stalking you just so they can grab a peek at your piccie's.

*Raises hand higher than everyone else*
Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee :P

[Glutton4...]

That would be you, him, her, the person in the corner who don't have much to say but you know they are secretly stalking you just so they can grab a peek at your piccie's.

*Raises hand higher than everyone else*
Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee :P

Nutter!



Sorry for hijacking the thread!

[tlck9]

my ranger is top bird!, she is the smallest of the lot and it will settle. You may always get a bit of gripe now and again, I do but I've had 3 groups now integrated into the one.

I did have to buy some spray anti pecking for the first week, but after then it settled down

[jessmorris]

..what age would you mix new chicks into the established flock?....with their mum?...there's plenty of undergrowth in the garden to hide in and they could have their own housie if they wanted (as a family). the chicks are mixed sex and the established flock is all girls. Just wondered.

[Scarlet]

I don't put mine in until they are off their growers pellets.

[Hilary B]

With Mum, while she is still taking a bit of interest, so she can protect them from the rest of the gang...

[RichmondHens]

I'm the same as Scarlet. Of course mum will protect them if they all run together but you do have a diet dilemma as the layers will eat the chick food. If you don't mind and it doesn't contain ACS then in theory it's not a problem. Up to you really.

[spud57]

Thanks so much everyone :-) all seems to have settled down already - just as you said! - I think that I was having new mother panic attacks! Thanks again!

[jessmorris]

Mmm, forgot about the different foods...it'll be a while yet as they are on crumbs still. I'm sure I remember Nicos saying she had her chicks in the field at a young age with their ma, but needn't have been with the ret of the flock I guess. Thanks all - back to the drawing board!!

[Allotment Nerd]

My three Speckedy's got their pecking order sorted straight away although I'm going to be ading a couple of RedRocs so thanks all for the advice gleemed from this thread.