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

[Barkisland]

As you know, I have had my 2 ex batts for just over a week. I planned to keep them in full view of my 4 other girls, but separated by a net partition. I was planning a very gradual introduction, possibly taking 4 weeks or so to complete. I thought it best to let them get their strength back and develop some confidence, and make sure they were getting enough food....

 

Well, that was my plan. Florence, (*note use of Sunday name and schoolmarm tone*) it seems, had other ideas.

Imagine my shock/horror/surprise then, on returning home after dark this evening to shut them in for the night, and finding Florence cheerfully snuggled up Chez Wernlas, and poor little Gerty all alone in the Eglu on the other side of the net . I've no idea how this amazing feat was achieved, by the way.

 

So, I decided to put Gerty in the cube with everyone else, as I didn't want her to be lonely, or to freeze without another chookie to snuggle up to. Was this the right thing to do? There was a bit of a commotion when I put her in - I suspect they hadn't been 'in bed' long, as everyone seemed still awake. I'm concerned about forcing Gerty to integrate when she might not have been ready or strong enough I tried closing the cube door but decided not to in the end. The commotion seemed to escalate when the door was closed, and I want them to be able to get away if the bullying starts at daybreak. I will separate them again tomorrow if this seems to be a problem.

 

Please say I've done the right thing....

[abwsco]

Ah, I'm sure you've done the right thing Fiona as Gerty will keep nice and warm tucked in with the others rather than being left on her own. Bet you'll be up early tomorrow to check everything is OK. Florence must be able to jump/fly over the netting so shes sounds determined

[Barkisland]

Thanks Anne. There is a space above the net, but I really thought it would be high enough at 6'6"

I didn't want to put Flo back in the eglu, it seemed a backward step...

I'll be up at the crack of dawn, as you say

[mostin]

My girls self introduced like that, the best laid plans and all that . Is it possible that she went under the netting? My Black Rock tunnels under, so we have to use tent pegs.

 

Let us all know how tomorrow goes. The never cease to suprise us do they

[Redwing]

If you are up early and the problems seem to escalate I guess you can always separate them again

[abwsco]

Thanks Anne. There is a space above the net, but I really thought it would be high enough at 6'6"

I didn't want to put Flo back in the eglu, it seemed a backward step...

I'll be up at the crack of dawn, as you say

 

Good grief the highest my exbatts have ever got is about 2 ft in the air jumping up for their food bowl. My blackrock is another matter though

[Barkisland]

I wish I had been a fly on the wall, I am dying to know how she did it! She couldn't have gone underneath as it's rolled up and weighted with wood and bricks. It's possible she squeezed through the very slender gap at the end, but she must have made a very determined effort

I have left the net in place, and as you say, they can easily be parted again tomorrow. And I just spent a fortune on a fancy shcmancy bespoke cargo net at the weekend, because I expected the period of separation to be protracted D'oh

[abwsco]

I wish I had been a fly on the wall, I am dying to know how she did it! She couldn't have gone underneath as it's rolled up and weighted with wood and bricks. It's possible she squeezed through the very slender gap at the end, but she must have made a very determined effort

I have left the net in place, and as you say, they can easily be parted again tomorrow. And I just spent a fortune on a fancy shcmancy bespoke cargo net at the weekend, because I expected the period of separation to be protracted D'oh

 

Well Fiona, you'll just have to use it for another lot of intro's

[Groovychook]

Oh bless! That's so sweet that she wanted to be with the others!

Hope you manage to keep the peace in the morning!

[Barkisland]

Well Fiona, you'll just have to use it for another lot of intro's

 

[Barkisland]

As predicted, I was out in the run before first light this morning. It didn't go well. There was some indignant Bokking from Molly, Gilda & Ada when they realised the lodgers were planning to stay.

Then I hoiked Mary out of the nest box - she is still broody - and things turned frosty. Gerty had the nerve to eat porridge from the same bowl as Mary, who then decided to assert herself. Feathers were pulled, neighbours were woken. Gerty & Flo got trapped against the net and weren't able to get away, beaks & feet tangled in it. Awful.

So I have separated them again, and a fragile ceasefire agreement appears to have been reached. Molly is patrolling the border.

I am going to be out all day, so couldn't take the risk of leaving them to sort it out. I don't think Gerty, particularly, is robust enough to stick up for herself yet. And they have so few feathers, but lots of quills poking through, Gilda would have a field day with those...

[Barkisland]

Duplicate post, sorry

Edited February 11, 2009 by Guest

[Barkisland]

Duplicate post, sorry.

[abwsco]

Sorry it was dreadful Fiona How were they when you got back today?

[Groovychook]

Oh dear

Hopefully they'll be happier to stick to their own quarters now...

[Barkisland]

So far, the ceasefire seems to be holding. Flo & Gerty seem to be good pals, which is nice. They cuddle up together in the Eglu at dusk, and get more like 'normal' chooks every day. They have started ignoring the porridge and eating pellets instead, drinking from the fountain drinker, and they both do the chookie 'two step shuffle' now!