Single hen

[Barkisland]

I rehomed 2 exbatts at the end of January, by netting off half of my run. The big girls are in the cube on one side of the net. The exbatts (and Ada - she broke in so many times, I decided to leave her there ) are on the other side, in the eglu.

 

My exbatts have now grown beautiful new feathers, and I think it's time to merge them. They have always been able to see (and peck) each other through the net - and the net holes are large enough that they stick their heads through to pinch corn etc. from each other.

 

How do you suggest I proceed? Should I just roll up the net and let them in together? Or, should I put the exbatts and Ada into the cube at night for a while, and separate them again in the mornings? I don't let them out of the run because of foxes, so free ranging is not an option.

 

The run is 4m x 5M and has 3 feed stations and 3 drinkers, so quite roomy. I can't wait to have one big happy family, and my run un-netted again, but I am prepared to be patient. I plan, tentatively, to proceed over Easter, when I will be at home for several days to supervise.

[Redwing]

I would roll up the net if it was me, I think you have been patient enough and the ex batts have obviously bounced back nicely

 

Cookie Monster got some new girls recently and put branches leaning up in the coners of her run to make a hen hidey hole which I thought was a really good idea so you could try that maybe?