pbfhpunk Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 Ok I've had a couple of eventful weeks with the chickens and for the last 2 weeks DJ has been living in a cardboard box in the house and free ranging outside with the others, Gobble got killed by a dog and as she was the one that attacked DJ after the cat attack we thought that a small bit of good could come out of it and we'd be able to put gobble back with the others, I put her in the cube run yesterday evening and left the door slightly open so she could come out if there was any trouble, the others walked past her and looked at her back a couple of times - it is bright purple, but still a chunk of feathers missing - but no one pecked. DJ, however, grabbed Not Ninja's comb and tugged but that was all that happened, my DH decided that it was time for us to go in but we were still nervous about her being left with them so we got her in and she stayed int he house last night. Early this afternoon we put her in the new eglu and since then all she's done is pace up and done at the front looking for us, it's really distressing and I don't want her anymore stressed than she is. I'm really struglling with what to do, we think we're going to bring her in tonight again. Does anyone have any advice? Could she become a hosue chicken or should we just bite the bullet and leave her with the toher girls, I'm so scared about going out and finding her covered in blood like I did the other week after her attack from Gobble. Tey free range together wonderfully and are always in their little gang and tbh since gobble went there's no squabbling form any of them outside, it's just in the run last night. Again thank you for reading my ramble!! Helen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 If you can supervise for a couple of days, I'd put her in with the others. Maybe next weekend, when you have more time to spare and her wound has had chance to heal a bit more? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbey Road Girl Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 I don't have any real advice, just sympathy for the situation that you're in. I'd tend to err on the side of caution but you can't do that for ever. I'm sure you will do your best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pbfhpunk Posted July 25, 2008 Author Share Posted July 25, 2008 Well DJ spent yesterday and last night in the eglu on her own and seemed ok, when she's freeranging with the others there's a bit of bickering (mainly from her!!). But I've got the afternoon off otday and so when I get home I'm going to put her in the cube throught he egg port and leave her in their with the others for an hour just to see how they go, I'll check on her all the time - probably far too much! - and if there's any problems I'll let them all freerange. We're hoping to get 3 more for the eglu tomorrow so it would be best to try and get her aclimatised with the others asap. Any bickering of the others to her isn't to do with her injury it's just general head pecking and comb snapping! The feathers are growing back on her tail so I think they're more curious about that, as her wings cover the exposed bone bit. Will keep you posted Helen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poplars Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 I have a similar problem at the moment, I am currently keeping the bullied chicken away from the others, in a seperate area of garden, but she won't sleep in the box we gave her, she is sleeping under a bush . I know what you mean about looking distressed and trying to find the others though, she keeps looking for them and when she hears them (she can't see them) she gets really upset... I am stuggling for what to do as well because I am going away next week and leaving my parents in charge . Good luck though and hope you have happy chickens soon! Eve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
