Omlet cube and run

[Millie-Annie]

This forum is more like a forum for a school

 

Annie died on Tuesday leaving Millicent on her own. Yesterday we bought Millicent a friend, a 25 week old girl we have called Marigold. As they are 1:1 we were told not to separate them, but to let them just get on with it. Newbie's first mistake was to attack Millicent. Millicent immediately decided that wasn't going to happen again and started the programme of domination. It didn't seem too bad, just the odd peck and Marigold soon learnt to freeze, look away and creep off.

 

Last night I checked them and they were sharing the next box. This morning I crept out about 7 and they were both in the smaller inner run, both seemed fine, so I left them. Unfortunately I think I should have let them out so they had more space, as Millicent seems to have used this time to totally bully Marigold.

 

When I went up a few hours later to let them into the bigger run, my bright, confident chicken had turned into a scared, cowed, quiet girl. I have now let them into the top of the garden so they have loads of space. Provided Marigold keeps her head down and creeps about Millicent ignores her, but as soon as she looks happy, starts to make her noises she runs at her and pecks her.

 

I feel awful that I didn't let them out earlier, and I have allowed this to happen and don't know what to do now?

 

HELP

[Christian]

They will be ok. As long as she isn't attacking her all the time and no blood is drawn, then I would leave them to it. They seem to be getting on ok? Sleeping together in the nest box is a good sign!

 

Just keep an eye on them and hopefully they will bound quickly

[Millie-Annie]

Thank you. I am a total whittle about my girls. We have two of everything and we are going to leave the inner pen open tonight so there is more space.

 

There is no blood and no real aggression, just chasing and the odd peck.

 

I am sure they will be friends eventually and then we'll have to go through all again in 6 weeks time Are we mad

[alih]

It should get better quite quickly as there are only 2 of them It's horrible to watch but they will be fine as long as no blood is drawn. In 6 weeks time you will be an old hand. Let us know how it goes?

[Millie-Annie]

Well it has been a week, and as well as bullying we have had Marigold on antibiotics for Mycoplasma

 

They are much more settled together now. Millicent always goes to bed early but Marigold joins her now and there is no problem, they sleep in the nest box together.

 

They free range near each other and we see less of the thats mine, thats mine, thats mine from Millicent.

 

The only issue now is round the food, Millie still pecks her occasionally if she tries to eat out of the same hopper as her, but Marigold is much more confident around her, and best of all she is talking again. Occasionally she gets a bit vocal and that earns her a peck too

 

Thanks for your help

[alih]

Glad it has settled down!