cluckbok Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 Hi everyone It's day three of intros and things are getting better!. Matilda (older hen) (after an afternoon of freeranging) seems to be sharing the run fine with the other two new girls. She is still however going for my little Flump (Silkie) whenever she comes out into the run. The other two new girls do protect little Flump quite well tho. I keeping my fingers crossed that all will keep going well. I think it's making a difference free ranging Matilda in the afternoons to give the others a bit of respite and they have been using that as an opportunity for a good feed up, even tho I have been giving the pellets in the eglu in the morning. Tho I will have to stop doing that at some point. When did you free range your new girls?? I not sure how long to give it. It's normally a week or two isn't it? It's been three years since we had newbies. I sprayed the new girls with anti peck spray yesterday which I think is helping a little. Thanks from a still a bit anxcious chicken mummy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 day 3 here too... tried putting them to bed together as the old ones were desperate to get in their house (as theyve been sleeping in the garage). Both of them cornered the young sussex (who was cowering), and kept pecking her, while the bluebelle was running around the garden. no blood drawn, but it was horrible. couldnt catch the old girls to put them in the garage, even mealworms wouldnt tempt them! . Violet (the old one) even pecked my mum when she was trying to stop them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckbok Posted February 21, 2011 Author Share Posted February 21, 2011 Oooh dear! I have been quite fortunate in the the newbies go in the eglu before Matilda does, then while they in there I don't think she bothers with them much, but once they out she's on at them again. She's more after Flump my silkie at the moment! , poor little flump More anti peck spray may been needed in a couple of days, will see how it settles. It's so difficult to watch isn't it I can't bear it!! I hope yours sort themselves out soon too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckbok Posted February 21, 2011 Author Share Posted February 21, 2011 The bluebelles are lovely aren't they, gorgeous colouring! They are all lovely! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 Yeah! We'll have to try taking a step back, keeping them separated by a fence for a while while the sussex grows up a bit and can stand up for herself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 I didn't put my young Welsummer and sussex in with the big girls until they were about 20/22 weeks old. Before that I found that they were scared and would run back into thier house. I think your idea of keeping the new girls seperate for a bit longer is probably the best thing to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckbok Posted February 21, 2011 Author Share Posted February 21, 2011 It's tricky for me to separate other than free ranging as I got no alternative accomodation. The free ranging the one hen seems to be helping alot tho. My newbies not sure exactly how old they are (should have asked !) but their combs are coming along nicely so I imagine they getting past the 22 week stage. The are the same size as my older one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 Same sort of thing here, but we got the omlet run, a WIR and they usually FR around the garden. we've only got one so its been a bit difficult too :L. I think ours are about 18 weeks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckbok Posted February 21, 2011 Author Share Posted February 21, 2011 It will be worth it tho, imagine sitting in the garden in the summer with the hens scratching around and their cute cluck noises. That's what I telling myself It's only natural I suppose. Gonna do the same tomorrow, free range matilda for most of the afternoon and give the newbies respite! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 I want the new ones to let us pick them up more, so we can carry them around the garden etc out of harms way, put them to bed, clip binnies wings... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckbok Posted February 21, 2011 Author Share Posted February 21, 2011 Awww love the name Binnie! that's sweet. Willow is our easiest to handle, it's so easy to love her! she's so placid. The silkie is a bit more skitish but she'll get there, they all pretty friendly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 whilst they were devouring on mealworms, I managed to stroke them with them making too much of a fuss! I even managed to pick them up! . I think I dropped Binnie a bit when I put her down, as she's smaller that our old ones! Binnie the Bluebelle also crouched a little bit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenNutter Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 Yes Lilo Lil my new Silkie is the target for bullying too from AsboChicken, Welsummer, Ruby. I am on at least day 30 something by now, and at the weekend had to send Ruby to Borstal, to see if I could get the other 4 to bond. I think Silkies are just a natural target for bullying, as they are so soft and docile. The other two originals are not as bad as Ruby, but still chase her. I am going to start putting them all in one eglu at night while Ruby is away to see if I can speed up the bonding, at the moment they are 2 groups of 2. Fingers crossed and best wishes to everyone out there doing introductions at the mo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 We can never please all of them for bed, as they all want to sleep in the house, but they fight when they go together . whoever we put in the garage to sleep, always tries to get out into the house Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
