Chicken picking at feet

[Jane 20]

We let the new girls free range with our two established hens today which went OK - the garden is big enough for them all to keep out of each other's way! But back in the run Henrietta and Olivia are still bullying them. I had hoped to do away with the separate run inside the walkin run as its not v big (the top end of an eglu run) and the newbies need more space but I am reluctant to leave them to for long in the run together.

We are going out soon and won't be back until late so we will have to do that as they all sleep together in the eglu. Do you think the newbies will be alright? They seem to spend a lot of the time on top of the eglu run out of reach!

[Jules.]

I introduced new hens last week for the first time.

I agree that things are ok in the garden, but in the eglu & run it can turn nasty. As to how they will be tonight while you are out I can't say- is there anyway you could lock the new girls in the eglu run just for the time you are out to stop you worrying about them?

In the end I got so stressed with the bullying by my old girls that I fitted bumper bits to them last night.

Things seem better today

[Jane 20]

We could leave them in the eglu run but they wouldn't be able to go to bed until about 11...but that might be preferable to the bullying.

I don't know who is more stressed me or the newbies

 

Are your girls in the run together now?

[Abbey Road Girl]

Oh, dear, just wishing you all the best. In my experiene, things did turn out very well. I hope that it's true for you as well.

[Jules.]

My girls are all in the run at night time together.

During the day they are still mixing in the garden- I have been poorly & so at home all the time to keep an eye on things.

What did you do in the end last night?

[Jane 20]

OH wanted them left in the run but after we left I got worried so we went back - the new girls were in the eglu so we left them there. When we came back there were still scuffles going on in the eglu - we just closed the door as usual. This morning when I let them out the newbies all flew straight onto the roof of the eglu run - as soon as they hopped onto the floor they were chased. OH says I have got to let them get on with it otherwise we will go on like this for weeks

[Jules.]

Take heart that my girls still chase a bit, but nowhere near as much as they first did.

also the terribly embaressing bowking that Poppy did at first has stopped

 

If you decide to go with bumper bits I have about 4 left if you would like them?

[Jane 20]

Thank you I will put them together today, keep an eye on them, If things don't improve then I think we might have to take you up on your offer as I work all day.

Can they still eat grass with them on?

[Jules.]

They can do everything they normally do apart from close their beak enough to pluck out feathers! I have been watching them closely

PM me your address if you decided to go for BB.

[Jane 20]

Will do Thanks again.

Fingers crossed for today.

[Jane 20]

Things still rather frantic in the run on Sunday but they all had a nice long time in the garden. Decided to leave the eglu door open at night and see what happened....all quiet in the morning so decided to take OH's advice and leave them to it.

Things seem a lot quieter now but there is still some rushing around and when we got home the new girls had retired inside the eglu. I guess its just time now, hopefully it will get a little better each day:?

Many thanks for all the advice - and offer of bumper bits.

My main problem now is how to get them in from free ranging, treats are good but not good enough to get past the big girls. Time for a frantic sheepdog impression

[skye]

Hi Jane

 

Sounds like your experiences are very similar to ours. We were torn between the 'gradual introduction' approach with a run inside a run for the newbies, and the advice the breeder gave us which was just to put them all in together and let them sort it out between themselves. Eventually we decided to go for the latter as I'm sure it makes more sense naturally. (Although we do have the kit to separate them if we decide to do a u-turn in our policy if things don't work out!)

 

It's heartbreaking isn't it, seeing the new girls being bullied by the established ones. Especially when they are in the new, strange environment and need lots of care and support. I have spent as much time as possible with them all since we got them on Saturday, and given them lots of free-ranging time - the difference in their behaviour together is encouraging... but one of the old girls is still chasing and pecking the youngest newbie who seems petrified of her

 

I really hope this phase dies down soon and both new girls can be accepted and relax - even if they are at the bottom of the pecking order.

 

Our newbies spend time out of reach on top of the eglu and on their perch as well!

 

Take heart Jane, and give them time to sort themselves out... the breeder says it looks worse than it is, that's is what I keep reminding myself (':?')

[Jane 20]

Ours have had three days together in the run now - i think things are mproving but my newbies too spend a lot of time out of reach of the older girls and will always run away if they come near.

They do enjoy their time free ranging though and are beginning to discover 'treats'

OH is going to build a perch for them then we can take the eglu run out and give them all more floor space, that should help.

 

One benefit is that it cured Henrietta's broodiness

[Egluntyne]

It's good to hear that they are beginning to get on better.

[Snowy]

Hope they settle down soon for you. I introduced two to nine - it went very well, but I think only because the two new girls found the highest branches in the run to perch on and stayed there! At first they only came down to eat when the nine were out free ranging, but now after two weeks they are down most of the time. Only a few minor skirmishes so far (mostly from those at the bottom of the original nine )