peggotty Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 I am the happiest hen owner in the world at the moment, as I have spent the bank holiday watching my 4 batties enjoy the freedom of the garden TOGETHER. I was so frustrated by the constant full on fighting of one of the new girls and the old head hencho - but I have followed all your advice, and spent the last 2 weeks continually switching around who is out and who is in (half a dozen times a day - I seem to have done nothing but carry hens from place to place!) and used a water pistol to break up fights, and yesterday afternoon it was suddenly all over and all 4 have spent 24 hours together without problem - I never thought it would happen and it seems like a miracle! So slowly, slowly/divide and conquer really does work. Hope this gives other people with warring hens a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel. And a huge thank you for all your brilliant advice! PS thought it would be good to post a message when I wasn't having a hen based crisis! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 Good job and great news, glad all is well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moochoo Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 Great news, well done for sticking to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 That's great news, well done . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelschooks Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 Well done for getting harmony!! Please can you give me any advice you have as I am getting 3 new ex-batts to join the 3 we have had for a year in 2 weeks. I am a little concerned as to how it is going to go! Kelly x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 That is good to hear. Am glad that they have settled down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peggotty Posted May 26, 2009 Author Share Posted May 26, 2009 I have got no idea what the turning point was - in the morning it was still like chicken fightclub in the garden between Mimi and Duchess and then when I put them out again in the afternoon peace broke out and I could positively hear them humming 'Altogether now' while offering to share cigarettes and have a game of football - before settling on a game of let's-hang-out-under-the-birdtable-and-catch-the-falling-food-because-the-baby-starlings-are-so-messy. There were obviously subtle winning-losing body language signs going on which only hens can understand. I know I am extremely over excited about it - partly because I have found the ex batt experience quite upsetting at times and mostly because otherwise my bank holiday weekend was spent writing an essay on NHS policy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miffy Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 well done, thats great news !!!! very reassuring to hear that things do come good eventually. Thanks for sharing how you have done it, I now have a plan B, if our current stratagy is unsuccessful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skye Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 Humming 'altogether now' he heeee heeee!! Excellent Really pleased peace has broken out. Now you can reeeeeeelax. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redranger Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 Congratulations!! It all takes a bit of time and patience, but is worth it in the end! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peggotty Posted May 26, 2009 Author Share Posted May 26, 2009 Thanks for all your messages. Isn't it great when something goes right? (Have got everything crossed and touching lots of woodwork as speaking) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
