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

[Fur 'n' Feathers]

Well, the 4 girls have been eyeballing eachother from their 2 runs since the newbies arrived on 5 October. This pm we let the older girls out for a supervised free-range, complete with water pistol to keep the cats at a safe distance (when will they learn ). Kilo went almost straight up to the eglu run, postured and as Aspro moved towards the mesh inquisitively Kilo pecked at her through the mesh. Meanwhile, Krasi was hunting around for worms nearby & didn't seem at all interested (wethinks a taste of things to come

 

Things settled in that both Kilo & Krasi then got too interested in some freedom.

 

We put then away after a bit & let the 2 newbies out. Boy did Aspro want to use her wings (but not for long because we then clipped each of their right wing feathers. What was lovely was that both Pitsi' and Aspro seemed quite content to sit on Feathers' lap and have a bit of a fuss made of them . Maybe it was because a leg is warmer than the ground at present . They also visited Kilo & Krasi, again inquisitively.

 

while they were freeranging there was quite a bit of noise coming from Kilo and Krasi (obviously ).

 

Next stage is to get them to share the cube run with bamboo separation as has been suggested by others. This will give them 2m length each pair. We're going to put the eglu in the top end so that the newbies have somewhere to sleep.

 

We envisage this stage to take about 4 weeks before we let them mingle. (water pistols at the ready). We guess that's when it might get a bit more "interesting"

 

PS. The cats gave up and went indoors after realising they would get a jet each time, but we never will trust them alone with the hens. Marcey only weighs 7lb but has brought in collared doves she's killed on 2 separate occasions (one at night. She hunts them in the trees while they're roosting ).

Edited October 22, 2009 by Guest

[Woodcat]

hey

 

 

Sounds like you've got a good plan there I hope it all comes together Also sounds like you've got some very annoyed cats guilt trips all round from that corner Shame about the doves though

Beth

[Fur 'n' Feathers]

Yesterday we let the 4 out together:

 

Bit of posturing from Kilo who attempted to throw her weight by pecking Aspro once or twice at inmtervals and then Pitsi' a little later. The water pistol came in very handy & she quickly got the message! . As it was a first attempt we allowed it while cleaning out. They then raomed about in their respective pairs. The newbies got stuck in to scratching about quite readily. Krasi didn't really take any notice of them.

 

We haven't put them all in the cube run (separated of course) because Kilo's bottom's still refeathering from her moult & Krasi has decided that it needed a little thinning out. We want her to have room to move well away if necessary before limiting the space they all have. It's set us back a little but we feltr by letting them range together that it would help things.

[Fur 'n' Feathers]

So far we've let the girls out together on Saturday and Monday for about an hour each time.

 

They'll get another hour tomorrow hopefully.

 

On Monday we noticed that there was a slight shift in configuration. Pitsi' seemed to move towards being near the established girls, whilst Aspro seemed to wander more. The girls seemed to tolerate Pitsi' till she went to be directly with them at which point they let her know her limits.

 

When it was time to go in Aspro got disorientated and ran into the cube run with the girls (& then straight out again in a panic as she had to get past them - she looked like Bernie Clifton on his ostrich ) but there was no incident.

 

It seems by what has been happening that Kilo is moving towards being top hen, Pitsi might be bottom hen & Krasi couldn't care! Aspro will be the one that has difficulty accepting where she is (ie. not top hen).

 

We're planning ranging together freely about 4 times a week for the next fortnight.

 

Our question is (having read the various posts) is it too big a jump to plce them ion the cube together at night as the next step if there's no problems that surface? We would then separate them during the day as work commitments prevent us being there daily. We're just aware that soon the days will be so short that we'll be going to work & coming home in the dark and want to avoid unnecessary problems.

 

What is good is that one or other of us are around 3 days in a row, so this step could be done over those days initially with someone available to sort out any fallout the following morning.

 

Are we making sense?

[Plum]

I'm at about the same stage with mine and have them in the divided run now with their own sleeping arrangement, I will be interested in replies.

 

I agree it's going to be difficult when the hour alters, I think I may give them some ranging together in the mornings? Only about 10-15mins. Do you think that is wise or will they all be more feisty?

[Fur 'n' Feathers]

I'm at about the same stage with mine and have them in the divided run now with their own sleeping arrangement, I will be interested in replies.

 

I agree it's going to be difficult when the hour alters, I think I may give them some ranging together in the mornings? Only about 10-15mins. Do you think that is wise or will they all be more feisty?

 

 

Ours seem to be quite content with the limited freeranging time at the moment. Perhaps because the weather's a bit miserable? They're very sheltered in their runs.

 

It will be interesting to run these two intros side by side and see if there are any real differences.

[Plum]

Ok I'll let you know how it's going.

[cluckingmad]

can I join in on the intro reporting?! Am currently trying to integrate my little ones with the older girls, after the attack on Nutty things have moved back a few paces as I'm no where near as happy at the idea of letting the babies mix with the others in the WIR

 

Once THATS acomplished, we then have the three new BIG girls to integrate... oh boy...

[Plum]

Nerve racking eh Glad I just have the 2 to introduce.

 

I'm off work today so this afternoon will have time to do the garden together bit. When I get home from work and let them out they just go into the big girls bit of the cube and find it so interesting they won't come out Then its getting dark. So it's all doors to the run closed and divide and conquer in the garden.

[batcatz]

ooh can I join too. This is a great thread. I have two seperate new ones to integrate with the two originals.

 

I'm at the stage where I think I can put Bianca in to sleep with the two originals. She still gets pecked occasionally by Dotty, but its fine to let them out together for a long period of time.

 

Bianca has only just chasing Hetty around and now seems to preen her rather than peck, but I think she is only eating any tasty bits she sees on her feather fur.

 

But I need to extend the run first. doh. The delay is okay as I also need to integrate the lavender.... she still gets pecked by Bianca and they sleep together, but she is in a cat box. She is fine with the silkie, but haven't tried her with Dotty yet.

 

Complicated.

[Fur 'n' Feathers]

Great that everyone's pitching in to compare. Will change the post title to reflect.

 

Donovaa, definately need to lie down for a while after reading your thread. Pheww! Just glad we've got only 2 to integrate.

 

Cluckingmad, have just read about your Nutty's situation . Horrendous. How brave you are. It looked so awful in the photo but the vet came up trumps eh?! It's great when there's good professional backup.

 

Anyone else want to join in?

[batcatz]

hehe, yeah I might faint too. It is only two to integrate with original two, but the lavender was a bit young to mix with them so she's been kept seperate.

 

Furnfeathers quote "Our question is (having read the various posts) is it too big a jump to plce them ion the cube together at night as the next step if there's no problems that surface?"

 

yeah, that's definately the next step if they have stopped doing the running up and pecking very scary and hectic bit and now just squabble over a bit of food just occasionally when let out i.e its a peck but doesn't seem violent? I'd get up early to watch how they are when they exit the cube and seperate if you are going to be at work or can't watch them with eagle eyes.

 

I read its a good idea to spray them with vinegar so they all smell the same in the cube or even with diatom powder.

[cluckingmad]

Like that idea, think my ladies will be liberally dusted with louse powder so they all smell nice and lemony

 

Fur 'n' Feather - thanks Its all down to Nutty being a tough little cookie and having a superb vet, I can't really take any of the credit She's such a funny little girl, am goign to miss having her in the front room when she goes back out with the others, I will however be watching like a hawk till they're all in bed and settled down for the night

[Chicken Shirl]

ooh can I join too. This is a great thread. I have two seperate new ones to integrate with the two originals.

 

I'm at the stage where I think I can put Bianca in to sleep with the two originals. She still gets pecked occasionally by Dotty, but its fine to let them out together for a long period of time.

 

Bianca has only just chasing Hetty around and now seems to preen her rather than peck, but I think she is only eating any tasty bits she sees on her feather fur.

 

But I need to extend the run first. doh. The delay is okay as I also need to integrate the lavender.... she still gets pecked by Bianca and they sleep together, but she is in a cat box. She is fine with the silkie, but haven't tried her with Dotty yet.

 

Complicated.

 

 

Goodness, what an interesting thread. Hope all goes well for you all. My life is so easy I can't believe it. They just arrive and we put them out there to get on with it. Never had one bit of trouble. There's is a bit of ducking and diving but that's about it.The chicks are out with their mum from hatching so they are all part of the scene from the beginning, and take their place in the pecking order. Just the cockerels that we are worried about. Good luck all of you. I really feel for you with your intro's. x

[cluckingmad]

CS, I'm coming to live with you in Tenerife!!! Integrating my girls is worse than having children - I'm always worried about them getting hurt or worrying that they won't like each other I've got a friend who has a farm, and she just pops newbies in to roost next to the existing girls - they all just shuffle up and accept the new ones immediately - why can't my babies be as accomodating?!

[Chicken Shirl]

CS, I'm coming to live with you in Tenerife!!! Integrating my girls is worse than having children - I'm always worried about them getting hurt or worrying that they won't like each other I've got a friend who has a farm, and she just pops newbies in to roost next to the existing girls - they all just shuffle up and accept the new ones immediately - why can't my babies be as accomodating?!

 

The space when they are in the run seems to be the problem. On a farm, the following day I expect they are free to do and go where they will. Like mine are. In a run of any discription they are confined and can't get away far enough. I would be just the same as you if mine were confined. Have you tried putting them in together at night when it is dark and letting them out in the garden straight away in the morning to range together after a few days they might just all go to the same run and eglu/cube. I know when you work and stuff it's very difficult to be with them all the time. It's just a thought. I know nothing about it really. Thinking of you. I wish I did have some hen lovers living near by.

[Plum]

Well mine have been out all afternoon but its been so wet I left both cube doors open so they can escape either end and there has just been a bit of chasing no pecking. It's Pigeon mainly but she doesn't pursue it.

 

I was going to put them together in the cube overnight but I am out this evening so will leave it until tomorrow because I know I will keep going down to listen in case anything is going wrong. Hope mine just shuffle up

 

Donovaa yours are doing well Can they smell the louse powder, I don't fancy the vinegar.

[batcatz]

Hi, I think the louse powder makes them all smell the same. Its a tried and tested method apparently. They wake up thinking they know each other. Not sure if I read it on the integration link here or somewhere else.

 

yay, your integration is going well, Plum. No fighting.

 

I just gave the hens some cooked potato peelings and some chopped up crumpet for breakfast. I let lavender and bianca into the same section of the cat run where they're living at the moment. I currently keep one in the safety porch and the other in the run and they sleep in the same place, but lavender in a cat box.

 

It seemed okay. This is what happened:

 

Bianca looked very closely at Lavender. I thought she was going to peck, so I gently pushed her away.

 

They ate together for a while. Heads and Beaks very close, but only pecking at food. Also chatting to each other.

 

Then Bianca started to really look at lavender again. She pecked some food of lavender's beak, pecked at her feathers under the beak. It was like preening or eating food that had got on the feathers. Then she pecked/preened some more, but was getting near the eye so seperated them again. It wasn't violent at all. More like preening. The lavender stayed very still while this was happening and only moved after Bianca went back to the food.

 

I wondered if she was curious about where the lavender's eyes are as they are hidden under her feathers.

 

What does this pecking/preening mean? Is it good or bad? Gut feeling is that its BAD.

 

It would be sooooooooooo good if I can introduce them as a pair rather than seperate. It will be about 2 weeks when I get all the tools and wood to extend their run. Am confused about 4x2 wood and shiplap. lol

[Plum]

I would have thought it was just normal behaviour. Mine have always cleaned each others beaks. Well not cleaning just scavenging

 

I've covered the new girls in antipeck spray so won't use the powder or it may stop it working I'm going to put them together in a bit. What do you reckon should I give them a dusting as well?

 

What are you doing with the wood and shiplap, is that for the roof?

[batcatz]

Hi, oh I'm not sure. Does antipeck spray smell? Its probably better as they won't be pecking each other. Can't wait for the update tomorrow morning.

 

Thanks, I hope that's what she was doing. Bianca was preening, looking closely at Hetty today too.

 

I put Bianca and Dotty in the aviary. That was fine too and lovely to watch her dust bathe there. When Bianca saw me she started jumping up as if she thought she could fly through the aviary wire, which made Dotty tug at her tail feathers a few times. She didn't pull any out. I think she was telling Bianca to stop being so silly.

 

Two different projects.

 

1. Shiplap is for sides of coop and bottom of aviary. I'll use plywood for roof and either onduline or plastic roof. Whichever is cheapest for now.

 

2. 4x2 wood is for the run extention posts. Am going to make the small coop with run a little wider and walk in. Just need to get my act together!

 

I let Bianca in with Dotty and Hetty earlier to watch her lay an egg and a little bit after. All seemed fine. A little worried as she went a bit strange just before her bedtime, but I might post that seperately.

 

I carried little lavender around the garden and then sat with her for about 15 mins. She just sat in my hand and croaked. ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. So not flighty.

[Plum]

Ah bless her. Little Eider jumped on my lap earlier, admittedly just to get away from Grackle who was chasing her. She calmed down and then sat on my shoulder (and pecked my ear).

 

Your building plan sounds good. Will need more pictures

 

Well I didn't put powder on anyway. They were both still wet with the antipeck spray, I think I overdid it. The others were still awake but nothing happened when I put them in. Eider cried for a bit going murp murp. But when I went down again they were quiet. Eider was standing with Pigeon, Grackle was semi standing in a corner and Motmot had settled down ok. I've left them too it but will go down and just listen in a bit.

 

I need a webcam but guess that would just make me worse. Will be up before light tomorrow to let them out.

[Plum]

All ok this morning. Big relief I couldn't sleep.

 

I opened the cube door thinking biggies would just rush down as normal but they didn't so after lifted Motmot out to put in her run. Pigeon gave Eider a tap on the head and Eider went down into their run Right fun and games I had trying to get them in the right place.

 

Plan B tomorrow......

[Fur 'n' Feathers]

Phew!! Just caught up with all the additions . This really is turning out to be an interesting exchange thread! Thanks everyone.

 

Donovaa, the anti-peck spray tastes like the bitter stuff they use to stop nail biting.

AND DEFINATELY more pictures needed!!!

 

Well, we've only managed a couple of 15 min. free-ranges since Monday due to work, plus weather foul (as opposed to fowl ). Also, yesterday spent the day at Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway on a special.

 

BUT... today we let them all out for two & a half hours while cleaning out & then having a late lunch.

 

The first part while cleaning out was also spent spraying Marley with the water pistol as he literally persisted in running off then skulking back. Every time we saw him he changed to look as if he was examining a plant or other thing. He eventually gave up after 1/2 a pistol of water (We took him in after this & locked the cat flap. Marcie was asleep in the top bunk all this time).

 

As far as the intros are going it seems to have moved on a little:

 

Pitsi' is moving between the hens & Aspro., trying to be part of whatever group she can. She is definately going to be the bottom hen (or at least the most easy-going).

 

Aspro is all bluff. She pretends she is hard, but when Kilo comes up she runs off. She's trying it on a bit with Pitsi, but we think that's because she's being put in her place by Kilo.

 

Meanwhile, Krasi is scratchiing around, running up the garden every time she hears us coming out (humans mean mealworms, etc ). She made us laugh when Aspro was standing by the back of the cube and she pushed between Aspro & the cube whilst ogling the ground for delights as if Aspro was merely a bush or something. Aspro just stood and stared, as if not quite believing she'd got away peck-free .

 

There is a bit of argy bargy, but it's mainly between Kilo & Aspro, particularly when there were some treats thrown down. The newbies were allowed to eat on the edge but not right in the centre. Funnily, the hens appear to be accepting Pitsi' readily, but she does play submissive.

 

We've noticed a lot of beak pecking too between Aspro & Pitsi' whether in or out of the run. They pull themselves up to full height & then peck. Not vicious or threatening. We've never noticed it with the original hens ever. It's the new pullets that are doing it.

 

The other thing that has increased is the visiting of eachothers' runs. Aspro & Pitsi started this a few days ago, but today Kilo did it. Also, Kilo had chased the pullets out of the cube run before today, but by the end of today's session she was not taking too much notice, so much so that at one point both she & Aspro were in the cube run & she just let Aspro get on and walk past her without a reaction at all

 

We are wondering whether the night time sleeping intro is imminent? We'll free-range them again tomorrow and see how that goes. Won't have another chance after tomorrow to free-range them till next weekend, so are wondering if night-time sleeping together might be best held till another free-ranging weekend has been successfully accomplished?

 

Kilo's bottom is still a little bald although her tail feathers are now coming through and there is new growth where Krasi remodelled her new feathers below her vent. We're not splitting the run because of this, but may do so if it looks like we're at a stalemate for time.

[Plum]

Well done, it sounds like you are making real progress.

 

After talking to others today I don't think mine are going to mix until the new ones are more mature even though they are 20 and 26 weeks now. They just run away when the others go for them. I wish they were a bit more like yours and stood up for themselves sometimes. I'll carry on sleeping them together and letting them out in the garden.

 

Like yours they love to be in each others run eating drinking and other chickeny things. I'm trying the shot of water to stop the others chasing them which has worked. Grackle ran into the run after them looking ready to peck them but was so shocked by the shot of water to her face that she calmed right down and walked out.

She gave me a very dirty look though, as did Pigeon when she got the same treatment when she ran at them. So now there is peace in the garden but they keep away from each other which is fine at present

[batcatz]

Hi,

 

Fur, I did laugh at your foul/fowl comment. I think Aspro & Pitsi' are just sorting out their pecking order as mine did that and after a few days it got less and less violent. I'd wait to do the night time intro until they are just doing the odd peck and not fluffing up their feathers unless you get up early to let them out and then seperate them or free range them. It will only be a matter of a couple more hours of letting them out together. The others all sound great! yay.

 

Plum, ah shame about the little ones. I thought 20 and 26 weeks would be old enough. Maybe it will take another couple of weeks?

 

I noticed today that Bianca now wants to be with Hetty and Dotty. She runs out of the cat run and goes straight to their run, looks in and just wants to be in there. She also follows Dotty around now which is exactly what I wanted. I can safely leave them together.

 

I had great fun making them follow me today. I held a box of mealworms and ran really fast down my garden shaking it. I looked round and they were both running really fast following me. It looked hilarious.

 

Bianca still pecks Lavender on the head, but I seperate them immediately. So, my next job is to let them be together more while I watch. I have a feeling Dotty will accept her as she is probably the lowest in the pecking order as she is youngest, but will also smell of Hetty who follows Dotty around. So its just Bianca.

 

I would happily put Bianca in with Dotty and Hetty to sleep now without peck spray or powder, but poor lavender will then be sleeping on her own. Not sure if I can fit the catbox and 3 chickens in the coop! I'll try it for size tomorrow.

 

I took some photos of them all today so I'll upload them tomorrow.

Amanda