Ms Tilytinkle Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 Hello there, Our two new hens , although they all free range well together, have treats together & now after 3 weeks they sleep together in the cube. The two newbies for the last couple of days have become almost territorial of their new cube . .especially the laying area . .they guard the door & if one of our other chicks manages to get in to lay one of them goes in to watch, i watch her & open the door very slightly & soothe my laying chicken, watching the newbie all of the time yet as soon as she thinks i'm going to move my hand out of the way she would love to attack the laying chicken. i saw her do this a few times .. nothing serious as i was there to stop it but it could've been awful as the layer just put her head down & did nothing to defend herself. Both of the new girls are bullies & will both attack the same chook if one does something the other follows. As soon as i open the door i will separate them tomorrow as this morning it was very distressing seeing & knowing what they're capable of doing ( today is the first day they've been in the layers area usually they (new girls) lay in the hedges ) Any suggestions would be welcome .. or answers to the following appreciated will they eventually lay together?, will they always be bullies?, how can i create a separate laying bit for the newbies? I know chickens love like an oval shaped space to lay in .. how can i recreate that? Bless them - it was all going soo well . .. i am praying harmony resumes & at this very moment, may well change again but at this moment in time i feel i am regretting ever succumbing to my hubby's desire to have a couple of more chickens. I really read everything, thought carefully & planned it all as best we can with a wooden coop & run. Thought slowly introducing laying chickens, having separate accommodation, runs & free ranging etc would be fine . .well actually it is fine all okay until this laying problem which has manifested today , although yesterday they did show signs of territorial bahaviour too. Many Thanks & any advice, experiences will be much appreciated Ms Tillyschooksneedsandhappinessareparamountomyown Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbey Road Girl Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 Ohdearmstillytinklechookloversosorrytohearofyourproblemwithnewbies, I can only hope that Egluntine and others will advise you soon. Chickens are territorial and form tight-knit associations and heaven help newcomers who seem to pose a threat. Could you make an alternative nesting box? It would be similar to the extra food and drink Grubs and Glugs that people use to stop dominant hens from ruling the roost to the extent of depriving the others of what they need. Bestofluck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Tilytinkle Posted July 25, 2008 Author Share Posted July 25, 2008 Thank you. I wouldnt care these new girls are being territorial & my girlies, (who should be the ones if any), are just graciously accepting them as part of their flock . .except Bodeccia who now doesn't like the way they're being & has started chasing them ( bizarrely Boddecia is low rank amongst the pepperpots who crouch as soon as they see the new girls, how odd - 2 pecking orders establishing) Yes i have plenty of separate food & drinks but just the one laing area .although they could lay in their wooden cube but they choose not to, its nt that they even lay in the cube its as though they dont like the others laying!!! We'll leave them separate, theres no hurry - its just a dilemma i didnt expect when all had integrated so well Thank you anyway Sue nice to hear from you, hope you're well. Ms Tillyreallymuststopreadingomletforunowandgotosleepashavetowakeupearlytoletchooksoutintotheirownruns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbey Road Girl Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 mstillytinkle, your dilemma so reminds me of when many years ago my parents got a Siamese cat and our Cocker Spaniel went round drinking up not just the water put out in bowls but any puddles of water on the patio and driveway. The cat moved down the street to a more friendly environment Your new chickens probably don't have the same option but I'm sure that you will wisely solve the problem for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Tilytinkle Posted July 26, 2008 Author Share Posted July 26, 2008 Ah bless, cats are so sensible .. .& survival instinct amazing!I have to solve the problem, even if they stay in separate runs forever it wont matter dont want bullys or any of them to be bullied ..as free ranging is fine. This morning they're all out - but in separate runs until i finish work. so hopefully will have all chooks a laying again today as yesterday i only had 4 eggs out of my original brood, usually the 6 of them lay. Its awaful tothink theyre stressed & don't want to go & lay because of the bullies trying to stop them. Anyway, one morning of strife was enough !! Then they will free range all together (although the two newbies are such wanderers theyre a bad influence maybe they can stay in their run as i have so much to catch up on i cant chicken watch all day again I'm trying to think of how i can make a laying shape for them, as to find 6 eggs beneath the hedge is a bit risky especially as now we've found them - she had found a new place to lay which we haven't discovered yet!!! Thanks for you thoughts Any more ideas for making a laying nest would be appreciated Ms Tillyhopesyourehavingapeacefulhappyweekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 26, 2008 Share Posted July 26, 2008 How about a shallow heavy pot full of bedding material under the cube. You could even put it in a a cardboard box on its side there. It will be protected from the weather to a certain extent, and will be dark. She won't be able to man them both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
