4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[alih]

would be very interested to hear how you are all getting on a few days/ weeks into having your ex bats. Mine are at last eating and drinking. One lovely egg but only the odd softie since then. Still quiet and Bubbles pecks poor Omar a bit but otherwise all is well

 

Looking forward to news of yours

[Tiggy]

my SIL 2 have just started to after 6 weeks of growing new feathers & getting used to the cold, my only surving girl has been with me for a year this week and has been laying almost every day for 10 months, about time she had a rest

[Electricbarbarella]

Hi again, my girls are doing really well, they are now going in to roost on their own and we have had 4 eggs, no softies. they are really gentle to handle and cant work out what the hell sweetcorn is.

[raffik]

My girl is doing Okay. She is still being hen pecked by Belina, my

 

She hasn't been able to put herself to roost yet, and I find her hunched in the run at 6pm, so I use a stick to guide her into the eglu.

 

I have seen her using the glug and grub, so that makes me happy to know she's getting food.

 

But when will Belina stop bullying her?? It's very distressing to watch

[alih]

Raffik is she being bullied by an established hen or are they both ex bats and new? If both new then unless they draw blood you should probably leave them to it - they are just working it out although I agree it is horrid to see.

If bellina is an older or stronger hen perhaps you should give the baby a break and let her feed and drink in peace before popping them in together at night.

It should settle down in time

[Hennubi]

Hi Alih,

 

Very exciting to see you have adopted 2 ex-bats!!

 

I was very insipred by everyone at the Manchester Markets Meet who had them and would def. get some if I can ever expand my flock!!

 

Best of luck with them everyone!! and dont forget the pictures!

[poachedegg]

We've had an issue with Lily bullying Daisy, with Daisy seeming to take refuge in the eglu.

 

Lily and Poppy both started eating the mash today, so we have puts lots of little hanging pots full of mash around the run and then closed the eglu door so Daisy couldn't go in and she has started to eat too!

 

The pots are like these:

 

 

When Lily comes along to peck her, Daisy just goes to another pot - so hopefully we are getting there.

 

Both Daisy and Poppy are limping - so will keep an eye on that.

 

More importantly after only 4 days, they are starting to act a little like chickens and we've had 5 eggs!

[alih]

Poached that's really interesting as our pecking orderbullying has started today too - unsurprisingly it's the little scrawny one who is having a constant go at Omar, poor thing. She too takes refuge in the eglu so have just hoiked Bubbles out for a cuddle to give her 10 minutes' peace - sure enough she went straight to eat and drink. But there is no blood being drawn and I guess it will settle down and Omar won't starve. I used those pots too -they're great aren't they? I used them for intros last time and they worked well. I have them dotted all over so like you I hope it works!

[alih]

Hi Alih,

 

Very exciting to see you have adopted 2 ex-bats!!

 

I was very insipred by everyone at the Manchester Markets Meet who had them and would def. get some if I can ever expand my flock!!

 

Best of luck with them everyone!! and dont forget the pictures!

 

Becky I would really recommend it - ony 3 days in though but totally amazed at the baby steps to recovery. Hope your hens are doing well - i will get over to see them one day!

[Tombull10]

I can't get over the change in mine in 4 days. Saturday was collection day and they just stood still looking terrified. I had to grab them and put them to bed because they wouldn't go in the eglu.

 

Day 2 I opened the eglu and had to coax them back into the run. The fighting started and was vicious but only lasted a day.

 

Day 3 they discovered food and water and haven't stopped eating and drinking since. Day 4 and they are scratching, stretching, eating, drinking, making plenty of noise (they sound like happy noises) and going to bed as soon as it's dark. Their personalities are coming out aswell. We have a feisty girl, a cute girl and a very very nosey girl!! Only 4 days in and never had chickens before but this is very very rewarding. . .Oh, and so far 4 eggs for us and 1 to give to a friend to convince her to get chickens too!!

[raffik]

Hi Alih

 

Love the name Omar, great name! Our new ex bat is getting bullied by an older chook that is an omlet girl.

 

Sally's comb looks a little bloody, so I do think that Belina has drawn blood.

 

I let Sally (ex bat) into the run, shutting the eglu door and the door to the run to let her at food and water without being intimidated by the others.

 

[alih]

Some purple spray will hide the blood and is a mild antiseptic. some vaseline on her comb will stop the others getting a grip too.

 

if she is an only one and a new one she will be picked on. as she is an ex bat she won't be strong enough to defend herself for a bit. Is there any way you can separate them in the run or give her her own safe space where they can all see each other, eat and drink without the others being able to get at her? If there is blood drawn she definitely needs to be kept apart (but within view) whilst she heals as chickens love blood and there have been some horrid tales on this forum.

 

usuallythe advice is to get 2 to add to 2 as the 1 will be a target but if you take it slowly it should be ok. i would definitely separate them if you can - there are some great ideas on this forum - look for the threads on chicken introductions. she should be strong enough in 3 -4 weeks to start standing up for herself and they will be more used to each other then.

 

am sure others will have helpful advice too. Good luck!