Ms

[NClaire]

For those who don't know, I'm currently trying to introduce 2 POL hens to my 1 year old Goldline who was being bullied in her run, so 1 new run later (dh was very busy knocking it together last week!), 2 new chickens, 1 week in, this is where we are.

 

The girls were sleeping together, but as the newbies gained in confidence this was resulting in some scuffles in the morning, which I didn't think the neighbours were too happy about, so Dopey is now sleeping in the rabbit hutch again. I have been literally juggling chickens about - first Dopey would be in the rabbit hutch with the new girls in the run, with her in view so they could see each other, then newbies would be in the house, with pophole shut, Dopey in the run to get some exercise etc.

 

Today, after reading Lesley-Jane's helpful article on here, we divided up the run using garden canes. I will post a pic a bit later, but what we did was to get a piece of wood the width of the run, drill holes in it, then post garden canes in to form a barrier (they also went through the mesh on the roof. A bungee cord woven round the top held it there. So we had Dopey on one side, newbies on the other, and I deliberately put the food and drink beside the barrier on each side so they HAVE to eat next to each other.

 

They seemed happy enough all day, and then in the evening, Smokey managed to somehow loosen one of the canes - I watched nervously, and Dopey DIDN'T instantly flap at her, Smokey DIDN'T instantly run away!!!! So I think we have progress. I will leave the barrier up for a few days, and then take it down, and will let you know how it goes!

[Egluntyne]

Sounds promising.

[NClaire]

Here are some pics...

 

The barrier construction;

3 chickens in 1 photo!

You can see poor Dopey's bald head in this one!

[Egluntyne]

Excellent.

 

Necessity is the mother of invention.