veggiemad Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 Hi. its me again!! Had my 3 ex batts for 10 days now. One has taken on the role of head of the pecking order but the last few days guards the eglu door so as not to let the other 2 out much, and when they do get out they are quickly chased back in! they are eating and drinking, but i wondered if it was best to separate them (hire another eglu) for a while, or will this make it worse when they go back together. They are fine when free ranging as the bully doesnt venture out and the other 2 seem to get abit of peace from her constant pecking and chasing but i cant let them free range all the time. I still like to be with them when FR so its only about 1hr a day. any advice gratefully received. Am just gonna order some new grub and glugs to put nearer to eglu door so that they have more of a chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikk100 Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 sounds as though you should seperate them. i had that same problem and it was a great move, I actually bought another eglu (with a view to selling it once the problem is sorted) but hiring one/borrowing some kind of housing will do just as well. one of my hens was being picked on by the other 4 and I chose a friend for her and put them in the new eglu. there was a bit of half hearted fighting but they have become very close and when they all free range together they kind of keep in their seperate groups (admittedly not what I intended as i would like them to live together eventually) My next move will be to put another hen in with the 2 friends and so on .... the 2 that I seperated have a great time and you can tell they are more relaxed, not being in constant fear, and having access to nest boxes/food/water as and when they want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legend21 Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 I had bullies in my bunch, just spray her with water when she is pecking the others, it does settle down, plenty of feeding stations help, when the weather is nice I put some on the outside of the run so that the freeranging girls can take mash when they are out as it is so good for them. http://www.flytesofancy.co.uk/chickenhouses/Plastic_Galley_Pots__3_.html these three feeder are nice and cheap. Hope the link works. If you can stick it out she will settle down, they have had a horrible life and she is just trying to exert her position. My six have settled in nicely, still the odd pecking but it gets better. Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 I had the same problem with mine when new. It only lasted a few days but I put loads of food stations out and would shut the bully into the eglu itself for half and hour or so each day so the other one could eat and drink a bit. I wouldnt' separate them unles blood is drawn as it will prolong the process. After 4 days mine were suddenly best friends. Keep us posted? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veggiemad Posted September 9, 2009 Author Share Posted September 9, 2009 Hi. thanks for all your advice and the link to the other website- i have ordered some more feeding pots (cheaper than a new set of G+G!) . i am also letting them FR as much as i can and have sprayed anti peck on the bullied 2 hens . I have decided that while i LOVE the design of the eglu for cleaning etc, think it is very small for newly rescued hens, as there isnt really any way of separating them or private nest boxes. I am now looking at a possible cube, i think this would give them more chance to get away from the bully- although these come at a Price!! hopefully plan A will work instead! Oh- and had an egg today- first for 3 days-yippee! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 ActuallyI think the Eglu is fine for 3, it is the run that is too small if you have problems as there are as you say fe ways to put things in to hide behind, i separated and got a friend and another Eglu and a walk in run(not all at he same time, bale of sraw was the best thing, something I found later which may help while you are sorting out what to do is . A piece of that large square trellis. you could put diagonally in the hole length. Hubby made a run for asunny spot in the winter, run is 4ft by 8ft and 4ft high. I had a piece of this trellis as a cut off and just put it in. Worked relly well. trhey can still get through the gaps but seemed to be a mental barrier. course they could sit on it too with the height, Those £1 plastic coop cups work well, you might need seberal, and the rotters still night guard them all. My 2 used to chase one mercilessly. If you only have one bully you should remove her and give te others a break, put her in a dog crate near her friends for a few days and see if with new found comfidence they will be less victim like and she will come back in lower down the pecking order. good luck. it isn't easy, they are all dif character & what works for some doesn;t for others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarahsausage Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 I would try the water spray method before forking out for another eglu etc. My Gladys was being a right bully recently, pulling Rita's feathers, standing on top of her and pecking her, it was awful but after a couple of days of being squirted with water whilst she was in the act of being horrible she soon stopped and all is calm now. As you've only had yours for 10 days they will still be settling in so try not to worry too much, things will soon calm down. I agree with sandyhas3chucks, the bigger the run you can provide the better, that way they can escape from each other if need be! Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 yes the water pistol can work, you have to sitt over them and be constant, I also had a poing stick and sat next to the run, which was ok till I walked away. Crafty madam.I actually wished I had free ranged more and sooner but they were my 1st girls, maybe just maybe they could have learnt to get along better before it all started. Cat baskets/crates are dead cheap now(specially compared to an Eglu.) and it would hopefully only be to let them settle... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veggiemad Posted September 10, 2009 Author Share Posted September 10, 2009 Thanks for all theadvice- have now put of 3 feeding stations instead of one, Sprayed some johnsons anti peck AND got a water pistol at the ready, and today i got 2 eggs, and very little bullying! infact, the bully and the hen at the bottom of the pecking order were sprawled out next to each other in the sun when FR this pm. They looked amazing- soo pleased things seem to have sorted out- thanks to all you fab guys. I was getting a little (well a lot) stressed over the whole thing and wondered if taking on ex batts or hens at all wasn't for me, but seeing them today, i'm loving it and already saving for a cube!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarahsausage Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 Aah glad things have settled down, chickens can be a worry at times but you soon get used to all their little ways and there's always plenty of advice and help on this forum. Happy hen keeping! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
