Torrential rain flooding run

[Plum]

Well done. My OH is the same and can't take it when they are sorting things out. Mostin advised me to give them a quick squirt of water at the first sign of aggression and it brings them down straight away. I have only had to target them a couple of times. Now it works if I squirt water in front of them, they seem to forget they were going to peck straight away and I only have to look as though I am reaching for it and the start pecking grass I would definately have one ready when you first put them in the run together. You could give OH a squirt as well to calm him down.

[cluckingmad]

We use a plant misting spray set to spray rather than mist, althouhg Esme and Pepper together with Etty don't seem in any way bothered by it - poor girls were drenched yesterday after OH used it to try and split up a fight...

[Plum]

Stun gun?

[cluckingmad]

tazers were certainly suggested Funnily enough, even though Etty is such a big and fairly aggressive girl, she does eventually end up running off and sticking close by Flo for a little bit after sparring with the others... Everyone just seems to leave Flo alone!! Must be her huge size, Pepper had one go at her and was almost squashed with Flo retaliated

[Plum]

Well messed up again tonight and the babies went into the cube first. Hadn't the heart to chuck them out and get them in right place so left them and when the others went up there was no problem so didn't bother putting the divider in. Early morning for me tomorrow then

 

Noticed that Eider and Motmot the new girls are now facing each other out when in the garden. No fighting, they just rise up and stare each other in the eye. Eiders wattles and comb are now developed and red so guess she is feeling braver. Motmot is 6 weeks older and still has nothing.

[Fur 'n' Feathers]

Well, we spent a little unexpected available time this am inserting a divider into the cube run. Would post pictures but the picture card decided to play up just now & we've had to reformat it, so have lost the pictures taken this am .

 

Basically as we're not going to be around in the daylight except for weekends for the next few weeks we've decided to go with dividing the run. Had brainwave in bed this am at 6am tht the spare eglu converter could be used. Basically have wedged one panel across the cube rune, held in place by a number of bamboo poles. The curve of the converter assists tensioning as the poles can be plced either side & through the weldmesh of the run.

 

It gives 2.5m length at the cube end & 1.5m length at the door end. We've got a couple of boredom buster rings (one each side & each unit has water, grub, dustbath roosting bar. The newbies are in the door end with a covered catlitter tray for temporary nesting area. We can access them to put them in with the hens at night & place them back in the morning. There's enough food to last to the weekend & we can top up the glugs through the welmesh.

 

The hens WERE NOT amused at the change & at the newbies being in their run & inaccessible, but they can't get at them

 

We aim to continue like this for about 4 weeks (by what we've read up). Any comments would be appreciated on this. Essentially, we are waiting for the hens to settle & stop taking an unhealthy interest in the newbies.

 

They can be let out to freerange at the weekends when we can get in to clean etc.

 

When we put the newbies in the cube tonight (night we heard one squeak after they settled & investigation revealed it was Krasi again. A scold settle them all down to sleep.

 

It's very labour intensive isn't it Will hopefully be worth it in the end .

[Plum]

Yes that is what I am doing. I think being so close they are sure to get used to eachother in the end.

 

I opened up the back of the cube under the house so that the big girls can get out to the garden when needed. It means taking off the two clips under the house and I put a couple of cords there to tie the wire in. Then took the clips off the skirt and put extra clips on the right side to make a hinge and use clips on the left to fasten the new door. Don't know if that helps you but does mean you can get access to them. Only takes a min or so to unfasten the 4 clips and a couple of ties

[batcatz]

I was getting jealous about your hen sleeping arrangements so I decided to leave the door off the cat box that lavender was sleeping in so that in the morning she could leave the box.

 

I didn't expect her to manage to go out the cat flap and down the steep ladder, but in the morning she was walking around with Bianca. I saw Bianca pecked her a couple of times while I watched so I have just swapped the pairs around again. The good thing is there was no damage to lavender and the pecks were not vicious, just bossy.

 

I'll do the same everyday now. While also working with Dotty and lavender.

very labour intensive.

 

also Dotty and bianca have slept together for a few hours when I got home late on halloween. It was fun swapping them around at midnight. I would have left them, but was worried that Dotty would need to be introduced to Hetty again.

[Fur 'n' Feathers]

Sounds like it's going really well Donovaa.

 

We're now on week 2 of the sleeping together and day 3 of the split run. We've got back from work so late the past 2 nights that the newbies have been fast asleep in the cat loo box we put in their division....AND tonight, there it was...Pitsi's first egg . We've posted some pictures of it on the egg section. It's a beaut at 65g The others have all laid small first eggs. (Perhaps the fireworks have contributed to this .

 

There's been no pecks the last 2 nights but it might be we've put them in when it's dark, rather than dusk.

[Plum]

Donavaa you make me feel tired but I am doing the same with putting dividers up and down. Somehow always get the girls in the wrong place though.

 

Congratulations I shall go and have a look at your post. Glad things are going ok.

I have given up on the cube divider in the roosting area now because I keep getting them in the wrong section and it such a faff. So now the big girls go up and I wait a few minutes and the little ones go up (when they have decided how to climb/leap up the ladder). All peaceful once in except the grumbles when I make them go right inside and not roost in the door

 

Still divided in the run. Pigeon still lands a knock on others when they walk by in the run so may try on saturday with water at the ready.

 

Look forward to seeing your pictures of your run divide Fur.

[Fur 'n' Feathers]

Look forward to seeing your pictures of your run divide Fur.

 

Thanks.

 

We'll put them on at the weekend as it's dark when we leave & dark when we gat home at the mo.

[cluckingmad]

miserable isnt' it? I really miss seeing my girls duringthe day - find myself looking for excuses to work from home so I can spend some time with them (I love my job!)

[Fur 'n' Feathers]

miserable isnt' it? I really miss seeing my girls duringthe day - find myself looking for excuses to work from home so I can spend some time with them (I love my job!)

 

We love winter, but we were saying the same thing today. Only get a quick cuddle as we're transferring them back & forth until the weekend

 

No eggs today either. Think Krasi is moving towards stopping laying. She's been secretly moulting, but looks like she's going to choose the winter to do the "full monty"

 

Not surprised the Pitsi didn't lay today after yesterday's whopper of a first egg!

 

The girls seem to be settling with eachother divided off in the run. No more eyeballing through the mesh & pacing up & down first thing. Food is more interesting.

 

How long should we wait do you think before taking down the divide if they continue like this? We're inclined to go for 4 weeks, although we'll play it by ear. Just interested in a rough guage. The problem is that they'll only get a freerange now at weekends for a few hours each time. With being absent we wouldn't want to leave the divide down for a full day.

 

Any offers?

[cluckingmad]

Think we've had our girls spearated in the WIR for about 4 weeks now, was planning on removing the divide this week-end, but after Nutmegg had a nasty do with the others think we may leave it a bit longer.... or let them out in the run together while we're there only?

[batcatz]

I'd remove the divide and watch. If they flare up and run to peck put the divide back, but if there are just small bossy pecks kind of get out of my way that's my food pecks I'd leave them to it, but keep checking on them. I'd do this for a few days, an hour or two each time. You'll soon feel confident to leave them together and the pecks shoudl stop after a couple of attempts.

 

This is what happened with me anyway. Since i posted on the 3rd Nov Bianca and Lavender now get themselves up in the morning together and the pecking has stopped. Its probably quicker as they have slept in same area for a month now.

 

I also ordered my wood yesterday... so its just Dotty and Lavender to make friends now.

 

Fur congrats on that huge egg! WOW.

[NatalieC]

Had my new girls (Beatrice and Ramona) a week and its been so easy! I followed the advice of Annie, who runs Annie Hall Poultry, she said its best to just bite the bullet and put them in together. Introduce the new girls at night and let them out together in the morning and just leave them to it. Absolutely no problems at all! The new girls are 18 weeks and well able to fend for themselves, although they do scuttle out of the way of the big girls (bet that'll change). I did go out armed with a water pistol on the first morning but then thought they have to work it out for themselves eventually and me being there (armed and loaded!) would just prolong the process. I've put out extra food stations and its all great!

[Fur 'n' Feathers]

Had my new girls (Beatrice and Ramona) a week and its been so easy! I followed the advice of Annie, who runs Annie Hall Poultry, she said its best to just bite the bullet and put them in together. Introduce the new girls at night and let them out together in the morning and just leave them to it. Absolutely no problems at all! The new girls are 18 weeks and well able to fend for themselves, although they do scuttle out of the way of the big girls (bet that'll change). I did go out armed with a water pistol on the first morning but then thought they have to work it out for themselves eventually and me being there (armed and loaded!) would just prolong the process. I've put out extra food stations and its all great!

 

 

That really was working outside the box. Well done! Our trouble is we're away for long periods during the day so can't monitor so closely. Suppose it's horses for course really (or some sort of chickeny equivalent ).

[Fur 'n' Feathers]

Mmmmh!! Rather update.

 

Went out this morning to change the food & water. Had to untie the separating weldmesh in the middle of the run to push it to one side & put the glug & grub into the further separated area....& while doing that Kilo & Krasi snuck round behind Feathers & in with the newbies.

 

Fur grabbed the water pistol & we stood outside for a while.

 

The upshot now is that we've decided to leave them together in the run as no major rucks were going on. We've kept the converter panel in the run but turned it lengthwise & tied it to the roof of the run so it divides the central section of the run into 2 lengths that they can run round & which protects their backs while eating/drinking in that area. We've put 2 each of glug & grub at different points to double up on stations.

 

If need be we can reinstate the converter panel as a separator, but we've decided to keep them together now to see how it goes.

 

There's been a few chases, pecks, wtaer poistol shots, but essentially we've taken Natalie C's suggestion & left them to it!

 

Aspro & Pitsi' keep retreating to the cube, but they are coming out again for short periods.

 

Anyone got any wise advice at this point or is it a case of trial & error & going with this idea to see if it works?

[sjp]

I found with my intro they were alright in the run but the big girls got a bit snappy when FR if the youngsters got to close especially at treat time.but that took a week to show up and as almost stopped now just had a bit yesturday but no follow through they out now all following each other about like they've always been together yet come bed time one big girl will patrol the perch the other will 'hide' inside the pop hole just to smack the youngsters 5 mins later they'll all be lined up on the perch or the 3 will need to be evited from the nest box

[batcatz]

Mmmmh!! Rather update.

 

Yay, don't be ! That's good news.

[Plum]

Good news they must be ready if all you are getting is the odd chase. Keep going

[Fur 'n' Feathers]

Thanks everyone. It's true that some of the most moments can become real inspirations

 

The girls had all been together in the run all yesterday. Aspro & Pitsi' retreated to the cube for quite a bit, but whenever they saw us came out. The main problem was Krasi rushing at them if they wanted to come out, but it's amazing what a dousing does .

 

Armed with a bright yellow water pistol we noticed that Krasi & Kilo would stop in their tracks if we merely aimed it at them and would move on to examining the aubiose underfoot at close quarters instead . (So for the thread on "can chickens see colours?" the answer is YES! They go bonkers if we approach with their small lime coloured treat bowl, which is the same size as the water pistol!).

 

They all went to bed last night without too much fuss, but Aspro retreated to the nest area. We remembered we hadn't pecka sprayed the newbies so did that & they settled down for the night.

 

This morning they all came out & there was less fuss about the newbies eating & drinking. However they still withdrew to the cube a bit and there was still the odd peck. BUT they could move past eachother in the run without having to peck every time and the pecks were more superficial (pecka spray?).

 

We let them out this afternoon while we cleaned the cube & they were definately more settled. Pitsi' is beginning to move with the hens, but Aspro is still flighty. Maybe that's her breed, or because she's not laying yet. She is a pecker by nature - the only one that pecks plants, leaves, our hands if she feels like it( ) although that's beginning to subside, and the CD in the run. However, she won't peck the hens when they peck her.

 

Interestingly, Aspro's propensity to peck anything she finds interesting (shiny, moving, etc.) might be handy as we've never managed to get the hens to use the superglug. We'll put that in tomorrow & see if her curiosity starts a trend.

 

Aspro IS beginning to follow the others when there's a treat in the offing when out freeranging, so that bodes well we think.

 

They're all in bed now (quick pecka spray given before the hens went in). All quiet! So, effectively they've been in the run together for 2 days now. We're keeping the converter panel in down the centre to give 2 aisles, as it does give them something to run round. Will review that next week.

 

Let's hope the progress continues wihout any setbacks.

[Plum]

Well fur 'n' feathers how is it going?

 

I've had them in run together today and like you left the divide with food and water both sides but took the door down so they have areas to escape to. They haven't been mixing but nothing nasty has happened. Eider and Motmot tend to run past the others but they are getting more calm.

 

At work all day tomorrow so not sure whether to risk it or divide them. What would anyone else do?

[Fur 'n' Feathers]

Can't believe how well it seems to be going Donovaa.

 

We're trying to take a relaxed approach, but it's true that we are aware that it can go rather nasty and are mindful of this. However,it hasn't been our experience to-date.

 

Today we let them all out into the run about 7am. Pitsilatha has more or less integrated with the others. Just the occasional peck from the hens. Aspro tends to hover in the cube doorway and comes out when we're around. Kilo will have a go at her (& occasionally Krasi) but it's more threatening than anything. She retreats & then is safe. Pitsi, bless her, shields her while she has a drink or eats. Having 2 pecka Rings at different ends of the run and the 2 sets of food & drink also helps. Aspro seems to have shown the others what they're for as she's the pecker, although the hens have had them before.

 

We let them out this afternoon for a bit (working at home/ day off) and they were much more together, although Kilo & Krasi then went off to their favourite border up near the house.

 

We think that when Aspro starts laying she will not be so flighty and the integration will then be complete.

 

Interestingly, we've reinstated the superglug. We think that, as Aspro is a pecker, that she may have the intelligence to work out the superglug & that the others hopefully will follow. We've kept the glugs in. It will be more of a distraction at first, but we can't see her missing the option.

 

If you're having the same experience than perhaps leave tham. We're in the same boat as you tomorrow & think it will be okay.

[batcatz]

Hi, my wood arrived today. Also ordered a staple gun and snips. Just need to treat the wood and make a run. Decided to partition off an area of the run to introduce lavender.

 

Bad news though! I found lots of red mites in the coop. Most were on the edge of a layer of newspaper in the nest box so I sprayed with poultry sheild then binned all the paper, and under the perch where the perch slots in so I sprayed there then used a roll of kitchen paper to remove them. Then spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning out the whole coop, spraying the whole bottle of poulty shield in all the edges of the coop, the walls etc. Then I put in new sawdust and sprinkled with diatom and red mite powder. Finally, I puffed diatom on the walls which has stuck there and everywhere even on the hens when they went to roost.

 

Hopefully, I have caught it in time and the rest will be killed when I do this again next week. Had a shower and changed my clothes afterwards too.

 

I thought I'd been careful by always putting in a thick layer of new diatom or barrier red mite power on top and under the bedding, but I hadn't sprayed the poultry spray for a while. Ordered another lot of it as I've used it up now.

 

The hens have all been fine and gave me no indication they were suffering. Dotty still laid an egg everyday and ran around freeranging. I also puffed them with diatom a few times a week anyway. This is why I think I caught it in time and they were ok. Still need to check the cat run is ok.

 

I'll get an eglu if it doesn't work though. It will look fab in the new run.

 

Expensive week!