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

[Battylady]

Hello! I posted a few weeks ago about my 8 week old chick, Rose, which I had trouble introducing to our existing ex batt, Donna. I took all the the advice and kept them separate until Rose was much bigger (at 16 weeks, she is now as big as Donna!) Whilst they happily free range together now, as soon as Rose gets in to Donna's space, Donna turns in to psyhco-hen and really lays in to her. Rose has, of course, learned to keep her distance, but the problem is that I'm wondering however I will get them to share the eglu! Basically, as soon they are in the eglu, Donna attacks Rose big time A couple of times, they have put themselves to bed in the eglu together, even cuddled up all lovely and cosy, and then, out of the blue,sometimes after a few hours, Donna attacks Rose like some kind of nutter! At the moment, we still have to have one sleep in the kitchen and one in the eglu, but we really need help getting to the stage where they can share the eglu. I was hoping that when Rose was as big as Donna (which at 16 weeks she pretty much is, being a larger breed) that Donna would accept her - but I'm losing hope Also have to say that Donna does not hestitate to lay in to the rabbits if she gets the chance, too, so she's clearly not a laid back girl (love her to bits, but she's got major attitude!!)

 

I've read a bit about some sort of spray?? Bumpa bits?? Help, what should I do first??!!!

 

Advice very much appreciated.

 

Also, I still have this nagging question in my mind as to whether Rose is a boy or a girl! I've posted some more photos of her (I hope!) here

 

http://www.westdorsetrspca.org/hens

 

She's 16 weeks in the first two (taken today) - the other two was when she was 8 weeks.

Someone told me to look at her tail feathers... they look a bit long to me?? Is that cockrellish?? Her comb has only started to redden up and grow in the last fortnight.

 

Again, any suggestions most welcome.

 

Many thanks!

[alih]

If I were you I would get a bumpa bit for the bigger girl. They work wonders. I got mine from ebay but I think you can also get them from Wernlas - look them up and give them a ring.

 

The little one should stand up for herself a bit more once she is in lay and generally the recommendation is not to mix them until they are at least 18 weeks old.

 

Maybe they just need a bit more time then - bumpa bit plus separate accommodation if necessary for another few weeks....

 

there are some excellent threads on intros but am not techy enough to put the link on. Someone clever will be along soon no doubt. Good luck. I have just taken over 2 months to merge my ex bats with my old girls and there were days when I thought it would never happen, so do persevere once your baby is old enough!

[Egluntyne]

At 16 weeks she is possibly still not mature enough to stand up for herself, despite her apparent size.

 

I would put a bumper bit on the bully and put her in different accommodation for a while. When they are re introduced, then she will be the interloper.

 

If they can still free range reasonably happily, then I would let them do so.

 

Several food stations are a good idea as food issues are often the flash point.

 

Article on managing intros **here**

[Battylady]

Thank you very much indeed! I have ordered some Bumper Bits and although I dread to think how Donna will take to wearing one, I know that she cannot be trusted and hopefully it's only a temporary measure. I'll take things slowly for now, and am happy that at least the two free range together without a problem. I'll try taking things to the next stage once Rose is a little bit older and Donna is all fitted up with her "Hannibal Lecter" style Bumper Bit I had no idea that chickens could be so agressive! Donna killed two baby mice today - she was so fast and ferocious - I could definitely see her dinosaur ancestry coming out in her!!

[feemcg]

I'm afraid I'm of the 'chuck them in and let them get on with it' way of thinking. I introduce at 12-14 weeks and while it's horrible to watch it's usually sorted in 2-3 weeks......oh, and I'm fairly sure she's a girl....and very pretty too

[tidygirlsuk]

I think girl too. She is lovely