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

[emma2009]

Hi,

 

We've been given two ex-bats at the weekend and are complete chicken newbies. They were put to bed on Sat night and were fine. When my husband let them out on Sunday morning about 8am, one of them had attacked the other, and there was a huge round patch (about 1.5 inches diameter) of missing feathers and skin and it was bleeding quite badly.

 

We immediately separated them, and after speaking to the Blue Cross and a friend who's a vet, managed to clean the wound with antiseptic wash. Since then (Sunday morning), we've kept them separated, with the two runs right next to each other so they can see each other at all times.

 

Nugget (the pecking one) is a real stroppy little character, has laid us two eggs and goes up to bed without being prompted and we're keeping her in the run.

 

Zinger (the injured one) is really sweet and quite subdued, but is now putting her weight on both legs (one is much weaker than the other) and the wound is starting to heal now. She's been sleeping in a box in the conservatory each night to let her recover faster.

 

This evening, we used some gentian violet to help disinfect the wound and also cover up the red colour. We put her back in the run with Nugget at about 7pm when we thought Nugget would be calmer, but she immediately went for Zinger, pecking the feathers that weren't purple. Poor Zinger just cowered in the corner and came flying out when we opened the door about 15 seconds later.

 

We've now realised that even though the wound is healing well, we may have been slightly premature - Zinger isn't well enough yet to be put in with Nugget, BUT how do we re-introduce them, and when?

 

If anyone can help or advise, we would be so grateful.

 

Emma

[Redwing]

I would leave them apart for a couple of weeks but within sight as you have been doing then arrange some closely supervised free range sessions and see how it goes

[Egluntyne]

I agree.....let Zinger build her strength up before attempting to reintroduce them....and if Nugget is still stroppy, I'd ask someone to help you fit a bumperbit to her.

[emma2009]

Egluntine - I'll look into the bumper bit idea thank you.

 

Ooh gosh, free-ranging - hadn't even got to that stage mentally yet! Nugget is such a nutter (straight down ramp in morning head first into food bowl where she stays for five minutes!) that I would be worried about letting her out just yet - perhaps another week so it really confirms where 'home' is to her.

 

Zinger accidentally free-ranged a bit yesterday for a few minutes and picked up a few tiny stones for her crop. We were concerned that she'd hurt herself though especially when it looked like she was going to launch herself down the patio steps. But she didn't go far. Think we need to chicken-proof the fence as a weekend priority!

 

I did wonder about a re-introduction in the second run rather than the main one to disorientate Nugget slightly, with a water pistol to hand but I'm not sure Nugget would take much notice of the water!

 

And we don't really want Zinger thinking the conservatory is home, lovely though it is to put her to bed each night, we want her to think she's a chicken not a house pet!

 

Thanks for your advice, I'll let you know how we/they get on!

 

Emma

[Space Chick]

Another thought (if you have space) may be to get a friend for Zinger, and then introduce them both to Nugget in a few weeks and she'll be outnumbered.

 

Don't know how you would manage the logistics of that though And you would need to do it quickly before Zinger gets too established otherwise you might have introduction problems.

 

If its any consolation, I have had my ex batts for 3 weeks now, and had to bumper bit Polly on Day 2 as she bled Barbara quite badly (Ace stayed out of it!). Now they are the best of friends, they are even starting to except the established girls and vice versa on combined free ranging sessions

[sandyhas3chucks]

Hi, you have to remember that this is how they had to live pecking to get to the food.

It does take some a while to realise the food is always there. I agree with the others separate togetherness.

It is unfortunate that you have one weak, it will take her a while to get her strength up and I wouldn't try to put her back until she is strong enough.

Don't worry as all ex bats think they are house pets whether they are allowed in doors or not

Just enjoy getting to know her,and caring for her, you will lose your heart in no time.

I recently (Easter) got 4 more to add to my 2 oldies then a few weeks later some chickens of fate came my way) only now can most of them be in the run together(but One is disabled & 1 oldy is a monster to her, so my circumstances are a bit different)

But what I am trying to say is that sometimes it can take a while & supervised free ranging is the best way to go.

Don't worry they won't go far from you as they get to know you and a few mealworms or grapes once they have learnt what they are and that YOU have em, will soon have them going just where you want.

Of my 8, 4 know their own names!

5 know they are "chook chooks" and 2 know theyt are "girls"My neighbiur reckons they are better behaved than her kids!

Do enjoy them, and we wil lgive you lots of ideas for introdincing the when the time is beter.