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

[eggalp]

My two new hens and two older hens have been free ranging together for about 10 weeks and all sharing a run during the day for about 3 weeks now. So far this is going well thanks to some ace advice on here! The only thing thats still wrong is that one of my older hens won't let the two newer girlies into the eglu at night - all they have to do is put one foot in the doorway and they get half beaten to death! So we are having to put the little ones in the rabbit hutch until dark then moving them to the eglu. Is there anything i can do to solve this? I thought about putting my older bully in the rabbit hutch on her own for a few days to teach her a lesson, but is this a step backwards as they wont all be sleeping together?

Surely this is the final step and i can't wait until its over and they are all 'as one', not least so i can get rid of this flippin rabbit hutch and get my lawn back!

 

alison

[alih]

It's a good idea as it will destabilise her a bit. A couple of days should do it. The babies will eventually be able to sneak in anyway after she has gone to sleep so there is probably a lot to be said for letting them get on with after a few days apart for naughty chook!

[Egluntyne]

I agree....it is what I would do, to take her down a peg or two. Keep her well within sight and sound of the others though.

[LesleyH]

the thing I have learned with chickens is that you have to let them fight it out - you may well be prolonging the unbalance by taking them out at night. I would advise that you wait until dark and then put the new ones into the eglu manually when the others are settled. do this for a few nights and then just let them get on with it. some of mine had a terrible time for a few weeks - but all of a sudden - literally overnight they are all the best of mates. also - when more new ones come the bullied become the bullies! you just have to ignore it - and only step in if there is real bloodshed. hope that helps - I promise it will be fine very quickly

[eggalp]

thanks for the advice - i will remove the bully today for a few days. Im a bit wimpy and i dont like to see any bullying so i wouldn't like to just leave them to get on with it, it really upsets me!

I'm just wondering about free ranging time - do i leave the bully in the hutch run on her own and let them free range around her or do i let her out to free range with them??

 

thanks again!