Cranfield Kate Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 so i let the new girls (Boadicea, Trumpet and The Other One) and the old girls (Atila and Bertha) all out together yesterday (all ex batts). Atila (current top dog) started on the first one out, Boadicea. They had a really rather dignified and elegant s"Ooops, word censored!" and Boadicea came out on top. Atila and Bertha then headed to the house end of the garden because they like to hang about there waiting for treats. The others then mooched about at the other end. they ended up in the Old girls' run, eating their food, and when I tried to get Atila and Bertha back over there so they could all hang out as a group, Boadicea just looked at them and they went scuttling away again. so now i have a situation where Boadicea is clearly in charge but Atila and Bertha haven't met Trumpet and The Other One yet and when they all free range they do it at opposite ends of the garden which is quite big. Do i give it a week of free ranging as much as possible (depending on the rubbish weather) and hope their paths cross organically before starting night time intros? or shall I just put them all in the big run and see what happens ? (not keen on this one...) Omleteers - I need your wisdom! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 Personally I would let them continue free ranging for as long as possible. I'm sure there paths with cross over the next week or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 carry on with the FR as much as possible and unless blood is drawn let them work it out for themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Kate Posted October 4, 2010 Author Share Posted October 4, 2010 okay - thank you. of course, now the new girls have had a taste of free ranging, they're not happy to be in their little coop any more so now they're all having a go at each other. i HATE this bit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna C Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 I really do feel for you at this nervous time, u can't stand to watch but frightened to look way Just a question, have just got new bird(orpington) and she loves to fr but getting her back in is hr long fight and hate it cos think she'll have heart attack . Any tips for getting them back in, tried all obvious, treats, sun down etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Kate Posted October 4, 2010 Author Share Posted October 4, 2010 I pick them up and plop them in at the moment - i used to chase them around and try to "guide" them with a long stick until my neighbours bumped into me in the street and told me how much they enjoyed watching us.... My old girls took about 2 months to respond to the rattling of the treat tub. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Kate Posted October 4, 2010 Author Share Posted October 4, 2010 And what's actually rather upsetting is that my poor old girls, who've had this happy equilibrium between the two of them for such a long time, are now being scared away from their treats by this newcomer. and it's bizarre! Atila is HUGE and so glossy and well fed and Boadicea is just a s"Ooops, word censored!" of a thing but totally dominates her. Just now Atila managed to leave the run with some dignity but as soon as she had sidled past she shot off down the garden. it's sad. still, I suppose it serves her right for being so rotten to poor Peeper last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 Encourage them to share treats, and stand by with a broom to intervene if one of them won't play nicely. Flare ups usually occur over food issues, and once they see that there is enough for everyone, they will get on better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna C Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 new one is bloody quick on her feet, and not crouching yet as not at pol , They seem to get along with each other but i only have to look at rose (new girl) and whoosh she's gone like the wind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 I find bellowing at them works - they look so shocked that they back off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 new one is bloody quick on her feet, and not crouching yet as not at pol , They seem to get along with each other but i only have to look at rose (new girl) and whoosh she's gone like the wind and I bet she knows your limitations already Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Kate Posted October 4, 2010 Author Share Posted October 4, 2010 I've tried the sharing treats thing but all Boadicea has to do is give Atila a "look" and she's off. Bertha doesn't even wait for the look, she pegs it as soon as Boadicea hoves into view. hard to get them to mix and mingle when two of the flock won't even attend the party. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
