Ammonia smell in coop-first time owner

[oggybags]

Following the sad loss of Gladys nearly two weeks ago with tumours we were left with Maude on her own. Whilst it was still a bit raw I chose to get two more girls (Babs & Shirley) the same day so that Maude was not on her own for too long. However, the introductions are still not going well. After a couple of days of terrible fighting with Shirley losing a lot of feathers and being left bleeding I split the run in half with some chicken wire mesh and put Babs & Shirley on the Eglu side, providing Maude with a pet carrier to lay in on the side nearest the door.

 

They have all been put back together every night to sleep in the Eglu together and I was feeding them along the wire divide so that they could get used to feeding together. I removed the mesh yesterday but there was further heavy feather loss and Maude is still going for both Babs & Shirley, although much more so for the latter who is ginger , the same colour as the departed Gladys (don't know if that might be relevant?)

 

Any tips on what to do next? I think I should leave the divide down and let them get on with it but the noise of the fighting and the feather loss is still really disturbing me

[jennydavies]

It's not a good idea if blood is still being drawn. Have you tried all the water-pistol, hosepipe, holding her down etc. to let her know you are the boss ?

[oggybags]

The blood was only drawn on the first day. The pecking is still happening and the feathers are still being pulled out but I don't think it is as vital as it was on the first couple of days

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I had to keep my old and new girls separate for about 7 weeks when they were in the run. Maisie kept going for Penny's head (and managed to rip one point of her comb off ). They weren't so bad when freeranging as Penny could escape.

 

I think you're doing all the right things, it'll just take time .

[Patricia W]

Mine took 9 months ( exceptional so don't panic!) and then we had a regression for a week or so recently and had to separate them again for a few days. All is well again though - patience is the answer.

 

Tricia

[oggybags]

Thanks for the advice. I will persevere for now then!