jackieb Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 Sorry to address this again but I am really having some problems with bullying. The story so far, pecking order of the oldies Rosie, Penny, Geraldine, Bella. I introducted Daisy and Lily by keeping them seperate within the run on 22nd August, last Saturday 29th we let them run together in the walk in run. No major fights but there has been a bit of comb pulling and a worrying amount of feather pulling and this is mainly from Bella who was bottom of the order before. I have put vaseline on Daisy's comb but she almost has a bald head where Bella is pulling her feathers out. I have now put some vaseline on the feathers around her comb in the hope that Bella wont be able to get a grip. Should I seperate them all out again or will that just put it back to day 1 when I put them all in together again? I can't free range them so that's just not an option to help with the introductions. Rosie, Penny and Geraldine have the odd nip or stand off with them but it's Bellas bullying that really upsetting, Bella is still getting picked on occasionally by Rosie. They are all ex-batts and are in a 15 x 6 run with perches and dust bath. The new girls move away from the many food stations when the others home in on them and this seems to stop any further advances but Bella is relentless and I guess she has worked out that Daisy is going to be bottom of the order. Please - what should I do, this is heartbreaking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieD Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 hi sorry to hear of your problems not very experienced with introductions so cant really offer much advice- sorry, im sure someone will be around shortly who has dealth with this issue before. good luck x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 I personally would keep Bella seperated. I have a similar situation here at the moment and have decided to keep 2 of my old girls on their own and leave the new chickens in with my old girl Rose. Rose is doing the normal stuff like giving the new girls a quick peck or chasing them off if they are in her way but Jasmine and Brandee are relentless and end up piling in and actually attacking if they get the chance. So, Jasmine and Brandee are now in the intro run and I am happy to keep it like this for however long it takes, would rather go very slowly than try to rush things and have the new girls hurt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 Could you put a bumper bit on her? I've not used one before but they are supposed to be good. I don't think separating them again would set it all back. It might be just enough to let them get used to each other. I left my girls separated only a few days more (12) and it seems friendly enough, with only the occasional peck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
