SAB Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Well - yesterday evening we put our ex-batts in with our other girls and other than a couple of displays of staning up and waving wings there has been no trouble so far! First thing this morning there was an egg from one of the ex-batts in the nest box too. So far, so good - long may it continue! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 That's good news . Hope it stays that way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenlass Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 How long did you wait before you tried to mix them together ?? I am really worried about putting mine in with Margo and Angelica ,,,[i won't be doing it just yet as they need to build up a bit of conditon first.? I'm hoping to let my new girls free range in front of the others this afternoon when I have more time and can supervise .I've read and re-read all the tips on here about introductions but am still worried it will all go wrong and they will hurt each other. I all ready have had to isolate Hero ["my oven ready chicken"] because they were all attacking her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Mine all went free-range together after about 10 days. Slash and Bizmillah had a cockerel-style standoff but that's all. The ex-batts have accepted the dominance of the hybrids when it comes to treats dustbaths and shade and all seems to be well now, even my oven-ready girl is standing her ground. Must bump up the 'Ex-Batts' thread.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAB Posted July 11, 2008 Author Share Posted July 11, 2008 We put them in run together after 12 days - the ex-batts were in pretty good condition though, not many bald bits, not too thin, and no nasties - they had been wormed by then too, in addition to the injections that they had been given prior to rehoming. Initially fine, as reported at top of this thread, but as the ex-batts got a bit braver 2 or 3 of them (6 ex-batts) have been a bit aggressive, especially in the middle of the day. We have now secured a piece of mesh to split the run in two and peace is restored (actually we initially had to grab the first thing we could find to make a barrier which was a "billboard" my daughter had used in school show and said "Soviet Union Invades Poland" which was quite funny under the circumstances!). The mesh has restored peace and either side does not try to jump over although they would be able to - our exchequer leghorn and our pekin bantam sometimes patrol along the top. All sleep together at night. The only problem is that it means the ex-batts can no longer get to the nest box to lay at present. Luckily I am on holiday at the moment so can monitor things (a big part in the decision to integrate at present). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...