New dynamics in the flock

When I sat and watched the chickens yesterday morning it soon became clear that Treacle, being the slightly larger bird was trying to take her place as top hen. While at the feeder she pecked at anyone who came near her. Bluebell didn’t take much notice but Pepper and Dotty would run for the cover of the shrub. I was a bit concerned that if they didn’t get a bit braver they would be kept from the feeder. However as they settled during the day, they became more confidant and all were feeding together.

Pepper and Dotty stayed very close together all day while the new girls wandered separately.  In the afternoon I offered a few sunflower hearts to try to get the new girls to come to me. At the farm they said not to give treats until they are fully grown but I thought I would just give a very small amount. It’s difficult without treats to get them to come to me. Pepper and Dotty run to me if I walk in, talk to them or hold my hand out but the new girls take no notice of me at all. When I offered the treats though, suddenly Pepper and Dotty defended their rights to them and the tables were turned, they were now keeping the new girls away.

When it came to bed time, I decided to hang out with them and make sure they settled together okay. I didn’t think there would be a problem as they had all shared the coop the night before.  Pepper and Dotty were first in but when the new girls tried to go in, they chased them out again. The new girls then sneaked in and when Pepper and Dotty tried to go in, they chased them them out. This was proving more difficult than I had thought it would be. My husband joined me and we watched this procedure take place several times.

We blocked their way back out to garden part of the run so that they would have to make up their minds about going in. Finally Pepper and Dotty went in followed by Bluebell and lastly Treacle. We decided to put the dog crate against the coop door until it closed, so that we could be sure no one had been forced out again. Once they were all in, they settled quietly. We went back at dusk when the automatic door had closed and removed the crate. All was quiet. I hope tonight they will go in together with less fuss. It is going to take a bit of time for them to get used to each other.