Snoxy Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 Hi Just wanted to share my news about the integration of our latest two girls...Phoebe and Harriet (white star hybrid) who arrived two weeks ago last Friday and are now happily enjoying life with our other girls There has been no pecking from 'mad' Mildred the usual bully...and Phoebe and Harriet have given a little peck to the other girls. I haven't even had to squirt any of the girls once with the water sprayer I am truly amazed at how well it has gone It does seem to me that the bigger my flock has got the easier the integrations have become I was worried that Phoebe and Harriet would be easy targets with their beautiful floppy red combs. Lou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennydavies Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 Well done ! it's always nice to hear when newcomers are accepted without any troubles. So many times you read of bullying and injuries, we had to rehome one of our girls that was a terrible bully, it's very hard to sit back and see it happening and not do anything. I know there has to be a pecking order but.....so good for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoxy Posted June 14, 2010 Author Share Posted June 14, 2010 Thank you...what a shame you had to rehome one of your girls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennydavies Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 It was a shame, Ginger was very affectionate to us, loved being handled and petted and followed me everywhere in the run. We still see her as she was rehomed to our neighbour across the lane, she has chosen to live a very solitary life shunning the company of his huge flock (30-40) birds and spends all day in the WIR, his son has made her his "pet chicken" and she enjoys his company when he comes home from school. Ironically, he also took Blanche/Raymond off us when she turned out to be a he. B/R was the one that Ginger was bullying unmercifully. Strange creatures..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoxy Posted June 15, 2010 Author Share Posted June 15, 2010 Ah yes I remember reading the thread about Blanche/Raymond I guess some hens are like people...just not sociable with their own kind She may think she is human How lovely that you still get to see Ginger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fur 'n' Feathers Posted June 17, 2010 Share Posted June 17, 2010 Hope our latest intro goes as well. Well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppers77 Posted June 17, 2010 Share Posted June 17, 2010 Agree great to have more stories of successful intros. We have had to replace our lads with 2 new girls 3 weeks ago. They adapted very quickly & now the new girls are growing well & happily protected by their bigger sister. They were from the same hatching so i guessed that helped. Simce Barri went back Saturday things have been even calmer! BW P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batcatz Posted June 17, 2010 Share Posted June 17, 2010 Wow, two weeks must be the record. I'm at 8 MONTHS now. Getting there. They spent 1 night in the eglu together a few months ago, but one was pecked on the comb. It's just the silkie being picked on now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppers77 Posted June 18, 2010 Share Posted June 18, 2010 Agreed we've been really lucky & I'm keeping a close eye! I think they are worried they'll be taken away in the big brown box like Ethel/Erol & Barrie! We are just hoping Vi doesn't start crowing as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoxy Posted June 18, 2010 Author Share Posted June 18, 2010 I really thought the introduction of Phoebe and Harriet was going to be 'challenging' because they are a little skitty and run away when I approach them (this maybe sorted once I start feeding them corn from my hand ) compared with the other 4 introductions. I think the combination of 2 weeks in the Eglu within the free-ranging area, being popped in the hen-house when the others were sleeping and dabbing a little Olbas oil on the back of their necks worked well this time around Good luck everyone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
