Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[ClaudetteDay]

hello everyone.

 

1. we just got the chickens in for the night - with a lot of struggle. does anyone recommend a way of getting them inside their coop easier?

two of them always come up to us when we open the run, so it's easy to pick them up. and we normally put them in the nesting box. but one of them is still scared of us (sookie).

 

2. dolly is picking on lulu. badly. it doesn't seem to be stopping. no blood and lulu is managing to eat and drink (with some difficulty), but she's very distressed. she always throws herself at anyone who opens the run in a bid to get away from dolly.

we locked dolly into the eglu today and we shortly let her out - it made a difference for a while, but then she began picking on lulu again.

and dolly is in a huge mood with us now

 

any suggestions? we've bought some anti pecking spray and are waiting for it to be delivered.

we've only had them for a week and we hate to see dolly and lulu like this.

[quickcluck]

Poor you, what a worry.

As for getting them in the coop, some say to put a torch in there and they go towards the light, they should get the hang of it after a day or so. Also physically walking them up the ladder foot by foot works. I tend to leave them to their own devices until it's quite dark and then see where they are. Sometimes if you go in at dusk they want to come and see what's going on!

 

As for you bullying problem. The spray will help, and excluding her isn't a bad idea, you could also dominate her by pressing down on her back and pressing her to the floor, this makes you top chook. Squirting her with a water pistol can also be effective.

 

Hope that helps

[Redwing]

If you flash a torch in through the back of the house/nestbox/roof etc.. the chickens should head towards it, sometimes if they are reluctant its worth leaving the torch on in the house for a while and going back when they have gone in

 

The bullying should settle down, its early days yet but another food and water station in the run will help a great deal

[coco]

When I got my ex batts they were very agressive towards my other girls [even after a few weeks of living in adjacent runs].I actually wondered if I had done the right thing getting them.They would peck and chase my othr girls although no blood was drawn. I put the agression down to it being everyone for themselves in the battery farm. Things settled down but we still had two distinct groups, old girls and ex batts. I have had them five months now and although they are definately top of the pecking order the girls have regrouped. I now have Lily, Lola and Prue who stick together and the two broodies. Give them time ad they will settle down ad get a lot more confident and freindly.

[ClaudetteDay]

wow everyone.

thanks for all the help. definitely helped a great deal

 

thanks again

[ClaudetteDay]

hi everyone,

pecking is getting worse and worse. when i let them out htis morning, dolly was already picking on lulu. and lulu has begun squawking.

still wanting for the anti pecking feather to arrive.

 

but does anyone have any other suggestions for just now?

i've tried splashing water on dolly, but it only worked for a moment or two.

 

shall i just keep dolly locked up? i've got lulu locked in the eglu for just now - she needed to lay an egg.

 

thanks everyone

[chickyhazel]

All our chickens in the pick on Cracker and always have done. It's on a small scale, regular pecking and things liek that. Patrolling with a water sprayer helps but doesn't stop it. Wjhen we first introduced her and Noodle Noodle protected her, but now she is top chook and doesn't pay attention to Cracker. I will be interested to see replies to see if we can help Cracker.

 

I would suggest separating lulu with a friend for a few days, but obviously you need another run and house which is a problem. Also, as you have 3 chickens,so dolly would be stressed.

 

Can anyone else help?

[ClaudetteDay]

hi everyone, sorry for the late reply. thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

 

everyone will be pleased to know i stopped the pecking by spraying dolly with water.

and also gave her extra cuddles

turns out she was just jealous of me giving lulu all the attention.

 

so if anyone is having trouble .. bare that in mind!!

 

dolly has actually become the family favourite and lulu is just being a cheeky madam now.

but they're all getting along fine!

 

thank you again