urbanchick Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 I got 3 ex batts a month ago, to join my 3 omlet hens, which I've had since July last year. They have been living separately until now, free ranging together for several hours in the day, although the ex batts have been firmly confined to a corner. I have been scratching my head trying to work out how to move on to the next level of integration, as I really would like to have them all in the cube and sell the eglu (any offers?). Well, this evening at 6.30pm I put them all in the cube run and shut the door. There was a fair bit of fighting, all the ex batts being chased and pinned down. It ended up with 2 ex batts and one Omlet hen retreating to the cube, where they settled down to roost. One ex batt, Emily, was then left with Mavis and Annie. Annie mercilessly cornered her and plucked her and she looked so desperate, following me around the run. I used a stick to push Annie off every time she attacked her. Mavis tried to look tough, but the bumpa bit stopped her doing anything. It all slowed down as it got dark and they are all now in the cube to roost. She had some specks of blood, but not excessive. What is going to happen in the morning? Will WW3 break out? Do I need to get up at first light to separate them again? I don't want to leave them to it if they are going to kill each other. Shall I fit them all with bumpa bits??! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daj198 Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 Have you seen this thread? http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12688 It might help, I suppose you could do a similar thing with the cube run if they continue to fight. I doubt they will though, unless one of them gets really hurt I imagine that they'll settle down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina C Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 Errm I guess its a bit late to reply to this post now as whatever was going to happen will have happened by now. How are things this morning? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urbanchick Posted April 15, 2008 Author Share Posted April 15, 2008 I got up to check around 6.30am and 2 Omlet hens were in the run, the others still in the cube. I think the batts were frightened to come out. but I opened the run door and they all came out, without too much fighting. As I was going out this morning I put them in their separate accommodation again. I'm home now and they are free ranging together, but I think I'm going to be tough and put them all back in the cube tonight and that's it, no more separate houses. I did think about dividing the run like Lesley-Jean, but one half would be without a nest box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lydia Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 (edited) This sounds exactly like the situation we were in.....and why we ended up with 2 eglus! We got 2 ex-batts last year as company for our 1 remaining Omlet hen. Initially we put the ex-batts in a little shed and then let them free range together. However, this could never be a permanent arrangement as the shed was old, haggard and leaky and probably not fox proof. We moved ex-batts, Bartel and Hatpin, into the eglu after a few days. Top hen Ping was violent and very vocal with her disapproval and did not allow either into the eglu at night. We got around this but putting them in when it was really dark. At first light we had more vocals from Ping so back into the shed went the ex-batts. This continued for the next few days As we're in a very residential area, we worried about the noise, so decided to get another eglu. Ping eventually accepted Bartel and Hatpin but it took a good couple of months of freeranging together and sleeping separately. They now all live happily together and the hatchet is well and truly buried. The up side of the story is that we were left with a spare eglu so were able to re-home 3 more ex-batts later in the year. Good luck with them Urbanchick and be patient. Edited April 15, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chili pepper Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 I am in exactly the same position too. My 3 ex batts from last year are in the cube and my new 3 are in the eglu.. i too wanted to sell my eglu but the new girls are just so aggresive! They will free range for a while together but they stay very much in their own 'gangs' and if they do get too close they fight good and proper, not just the odd peck! its been a few weeks now and I'm worried about putting them in together at night as like you I live in a residential area too. I may be brave and just go for it putting them together tonight early start for me tomorrow I think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy hen Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 My 5 together for first time tonight but not sure they will put up with each other for whole day tomorrow! Have not let new 2 out free ranging yet in case others don't let them back in,perhaps in a couple of days if they are a bit friendlier with each other.This pecking order scenario is horrible to watch but I guess it is just nature at work should be OK soon...new girls been here for 6 weeks now so the sooner the better!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urbanchick Posted April 15, 2008 Author Share Posted April 15, 2008 Oh how nice to know there are others going through this too! They are together again tonight, but the ex batts would not be fooled into going into the lion's den again. I had to pick them up and post them through the egg port. Emily was cowering behind a bush! I am tempted to leave them locked in the run tomorrow so they can get on with things. This morning it seemed as if a night together in the cube had dampened down any animosity, but 2 of the ex batts did not come out of the cube until I opened the run door. Trouble with letting nature take its course is that it could end in tears and bloodshed Poor ex batts, I rescued them from a life of violence and now they are having to go through it again. I hope it's worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy hen Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 They will all be friends one day (wont they). Didn,t get much sleep last night worrying about poor babies,funny how the big bad bullies are actually the ones that went through this before and got my sympathy then. Woken VERY early by squawking and went to investigate,opened door and baddies came out leaving babies cowering in Eglu,a few more s"Ooops, word censored!"s over next couple of hours then I relented and babies now very happy back in their Wendy house! I will put them back in run later when big girls are out in the garden . Good luck with yours! Lucky you to have a cube!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urbanchick Posted April 16, 2008 Author Share Posted April 16, 2008 happy hen that's exactly what happened to me this morning, although I went out and left them all in there together. When I got back the Omlet hens were strutting around and the ex batts still cowering in the cube. One had some blood on the tail and a few drops on the roosting bars. I would really like to know how long it is going to go on for. The squawking started at 6am and was really loud. My neighbours are going to be furious and I think I will have to apologise, but I would like to be able to tell them when it will end and I don't know if it's weeks or days. I'm thinking of putting bumpa bits on the lot of them until the fighting settles down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy hen Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 I guess we will have to go through same ordeal tonight but maybe each time their behaviour will improve ( I hope ) I can't remember it lasting too long last time I introduced 2 new girls but do remember it being traumatic. Old girls out free ranging now and babies in run,not sure about letting them out until they are happy in Eglu and run,I dont want them going into hiding somewhere in the garden as darkness falls! The resident pheasant is VERY annoyed that the run is closed he usually pops in for supper when the girls are out! Good luck tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
