katieD Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 well my new ones have been living in seperate quarters within the wir for a week so decided to section off an area in front of the run to let them free range together. they went out ignoring each other quite happily, then the stupid dog started barking, scared them all and they all went running/flapping back into the WIR. i left them, watching of course! and the new ones just sat huddled together in thecorner. every now and again the Dora (top old hen) chases them off giving them a peck or 2 on her way, but none of the new ones are fighting back. dont know if this is good or not they are just truly scared do i just leave them within the wir or split them back up? ive put 2 new feeding stations in there. they all look petrified. if i leave them what shall i do at bedtime? let them go where they want- cube or eglu, or split them into their groups. thanks for your help! but wasnt planning on them going in the run together yet and now im confused thanks again x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 personally I'd split them up I've had my 3 youngster since late june. out togther since about the 2nd week of july and there's more pecking and chsing by the big girls now than the first week out but the 3 are starting to stand up for them selves a bit now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 I agree, split them up - dont get lulled in to a false sense of security Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieD Posted September 4, 2009 Author Share Posted September 4, 2009 split them up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 I'm just ahead of you in the introductions . I've had my girls separated within my WIR for 2 weeks exactly. I've been letting them out together within the last couple of days but only when I'm in the garden to watch. Maisie will go for them and have a peck but the other two only have a half-hearted peck occasionally. The babies run away and cower in a corner, like you describe and don't fight back, so I make sure all the WIR doors are open so they can escape. I'm squirting Maisie with water when I catch her at it too. They don't bother the babies all the time, often they are just in two separate groups, quite happily pecking about. For the last 3 nights I've put them together just as the big girls are going to bed and as soon as they're in the eglu, I usher the babies into their pet carrier, where they sleep. I intend to keep them separate while I'm not around for a good few weeks yet. I'm too nervous after reading stories of sudden attacks after apparently successful introductions . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieD Posted September 5, 2009 Author Share Posted September 5, 2009 thanks ANH think im going to follow what your doing- might order some netting from knowles so i can freerange them more securely together. keep me up to date with your progress Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
