Patridge bantam chicken poorly foot?

[lozkate]

Help! Patience is not one of my strong points but our new girls arrived on Wednesday and I have followed the forum adviice so far but can I let them all free range together today?

 

I think my only mistake up until now was not getting all the birds from one flock, we chose the first warren (well she chose my son as when we entered their shed she jumped up next to him to let him stroke her ) then we chose the others, a black rock, speckledy and daisybell from another who were a couple of weeks younger at 19 weeks.

 

The first day the warren wouldn't let the others through the pop hole and when they did have the courage they were pecked so ran back in, now things are quieter and they are all in the run and only receive the odd little peck as they walk past her.

 

The other girls were extremely unhappy at first and made a lot of noise and puffed themselves up to doudle their size, they are still having a little go through the wire but are freeranging away from them most of the time.

 

I just dont like to see the newbies in their run when there is so much space outside and we are around to supervise for foxes - do I wait a couple more days.

 

Thanks

Kate

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I'm sure you'd be fine - they've been in for nearly 3 days after all . Perhaps if there is a bit of pecking going on, they'd be better off freeranging so the weaker ones can escape!

 

I'd say go for it, especially if the weekend is the only time you can supervise a lot - otherwise you'd have to wait till next weekend, what with the nights drawing in.

[Snowy]

I would probably go for it as well. Even if they are not getting on brilliantly with the older hens, they will still see them as part of 'their' flock and keep close. Have fun!

[lozkate]

Thankyou both, thats the answer I wanted and a bit of reassurance! I'll go and let the older girls out now and the others in an hour or so.

 

Kate