chick wiggle Posted December 29, 2009 Author Share Posted December 29, 2009 They have had their treats alongside eachother since the first day as they are only seperated by wire so can see each other all the time. I was just a bit stunned by the viciousness of Blossoms attack, although no blood was drawn. The divide and conguer way is definately the way forward I think. Tomorro I will let the babies into the run and take Blossom out as soon as she shows any aggression. The only problem is i will have to put her into the babies section and so they will not be able to go back into their own run! I like 'chicken chess/juggling' Maybe, if I put Blossom in the babies run with them, then she will be outnumbered, what do ya think? I may have to make another section just for her Arrrggggghhhhhh Oh Im waffling now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 I'm sure it will become clear to you. i put my oldest calmest girl in with the babes first. The other girls were going mental along the fence line but couldn't get in. I gradually added them as they proved they could behave. Any bad behaviour and they went in the sin bin. eventually it ended up with only the two boss girls left on their own on the other side of the fence and everyone else on the other . They really hated that , and I think they behaved in the end just so they could join in with everyone else . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted December 29, 2009 Author Share Posted December 29, 2009 Thanks Mostin, I have mixed the bigger girls with the babies occasionally. Dora, who is TOP chuck, was absolutely fine, its almost as is she has nothing to prove as everyone knows she is the boss. Blossom on the other hand was very much bottom of the original 5 and so when we introduced the new 6 she bacame very aggresive towards them, like she was no way gonna go any lower in the pecking order. Now, it seems she may be going the same way with the babies. Im going to keep mixing and if Blossom becomes a problem then she will be exiled or bumper bits will be introduced! Have you tried anti pecking spray? would that be any good do you think? Thanks everyone, will keep you updated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 Your Blossom sounds just like my Snowdrop.........fine until someone smaller or younger or just newer is brought nearby..then the Satan hat slips on & all Hell breaks loose, usually culminating with her needing purple spray and timeout to wait for the blood to stop flowing Good luck with your big:little intros Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted December 30, 2009 Author Share Posted December 30, 2009 Thanks Wild Mum, Blossom certainly reminds me of that song, She looks like an angel, she walks like an angel but shes the devil in disguise! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 The legend of Cat Ballou, Cat Baloooooooouuuuuuu oooo ooooh! Think it was Nat King Cole and Stubby Kaye. They are lovely pics in the garden. Don't mind the wall - thinking more on the lines of Irish coffee or Pirate coffee (rum instead AKA Carribbean coffee). A couple of those and I'd be on the grass anyway! When it stops raining here I think we had better change the netting around because the Eggy Babes are wanting OUT but it's too soon - thinking at the same time Sioux turns into a Banshee! Like Blossom and Snowdrop - and I am a bit worried about Kitty being on the receiving end. Eggy told me that Mini will stand up for her though. Yep, Angel does know how to look good in pics I have to agree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Shirl Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 Just catching up, as we have had no internet this week. The weather has been awful!!! I agree, just keep going with the free ranging in the garden, they will get there in the end CW. They are just gorgeous all of them. I'll have a pimms next time you make one please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 Glad you are doing so well CW. I've never yet had to resort to anti peck spray or bumber bits *crosses fingers madly and knows that she's now jinxed herself*, I find a water pistol works for me. I only let the problem chook near the newbies when I am there. As soon as she gets that look in her eye. You know the one I mean, when she's turned into Satan and she's just about to lunged, spray her right in the face with water. It snaps her out of that aggressive mindset. You have to be quick. I am like John Wayne now . At first it took me until I heard the squawks or I saw the lunge to spray, but it works much better if you can get her just before and stop her building up into that aggressive mode. Mine used to walk off, have a grumble and a sulk, then think I wasn't watching and try again , eventually, she gives in. You just have to be prepared to outlast a chickens deviousness . This is just my method, it works for me, everyone finds there own path . Good luck, and a Happy New Year to You, your family and all your furred and feathered friends Edited to say, I was doing all this in the summer when it was warm, it's very cold now, so beware of wet and damp chooks in this cold and freezing weather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted January 1, 2010 Author Share Posted January 1, 2010 WELL............... I just didnt know wether to slap or kiss my OH this morning. He got up to let the chucks out so I could have a lie in (good I know). After getting up and having a leisurely coffee, I went down to see the chucks. It was nearly 3 hours after OH had let them out. I was so shocked to see the babies in the big girls run and all 16 girls just scratting about calmly and mingling together OH had inadvertantly left the dividing gate open, only by 4 or 5 inches but enough for the babies to get out! Well, they had all been together for a good 3 hours by this time and no sign of feathers or blood anywhere so I thought id just leave them to it. i have obviously now spent practically all day in the run watching them and they all seem fine. There is the occasional 'know your place' peck but nothing vicious. So far so good, will be keeping an eye on them though just in case. But, it seems they have decided for themselves that enough is enough and have now become 1 flock We also put the babies eglu on the new table from Ikea ( thanks beckboy!) and they seem to like that too. So, all is well on Fosters Farmette once again ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 Well done that negligent OH, cracked it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted January 1, 2010 Author Share Posted January 1, 2010 Yeah, still didnt know wether to slap or kiss though, so did both just to be on the safe side Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 it was fate, how wonderful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted January 1, 2010 Author Share Posted January 1, 2010 I think your right Mostin, for it to happen today, this week, when i was planning on trying to merge them slowly, a little longer each day when it has never ever happened before!! Yep, fate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Shirl Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 Hopeless but wonderful OH's what would we do without them! Great news CW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 Glad to hear its working out CW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted January 2, 2010 Author Share Posted January 2, 2010 Just have to tell you. Last night after the accidental 'mixing' they also had the 'eglu on new higher table' to contend with and needed a little 'help' finding their way to bed. Tonight I stayed in the run with them again and watched as 1 by 1 they all found their way up the new extra long ramp to bed. Aww it was just so cute Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 awwwwwwwwww, I love watching mine go up the cube ladder. So graceful............NOT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted January 2, 2010 Author Share Posted January 2, 2010 They are funny arnt they, especially all tumblin out first thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted January 6, 2010 Author Share Posted January 6, 2010 Well, now the babies are mixing with the big girls I thought i would pop on some more pictures First, a couple of posey ones of Noodle and Baby And Sweetpea warming her feet in the Porridge!!! Pickle decides enough is enough and nudges sweetpea out of her supper! The big girls hanging around under the table waiting for dropped morsels And, finally..... My most favourite little chicken...... playing in the snow....... Hee hee, sorry, just couldnt resist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Aww. They are all gorgeous, particularly the one playing in the snow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Lovely Chicky, very unusual feathering on the last girl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Ah Sweetpea I am joining her fan club as well as Baby's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted January 6, 2010 Author Share Posted January 6, 2010 The last ones a lot more trouble than the others too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Lovely pics, Chickle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 Gogeous pics , why is there always one who stands in the porridge , mine is Tulip who does this, every day! . They all look really contented together now, Noodle and Baby, have true star quality and they seem to know it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
