Poo help please!

[staceychristie]

Hi,

Introduced new girls before, and alls been well.

1st week, new girls stay 24/7 in run and cube. (Original girls stay in garage based temp coop whilst we're out.)

2nd week introduce them to free range under supervision.

Well, all went ok (3 added to 3), and we've left them in the run while we've been about.

Today, left them for 3hours on their own for the first time.

Horrified to find two new girls bloody, one has been plucked of all tail feathers that were just starting to regrow, and other girl has had new sprouting feathers plucked out. Larger 3rd hen can nearly look after herself, and shows little fear - but keeps clear of the boss.

Devastated.

Have left them with 2 feeders, 2 drinkers, CDs dangling, pecka block etc etc.

Anyone got any other ideas? Violet spray, and mustard paste used to try and dissuade pecks (peck spray of little effect).

 

Tanks for any help.

 

Stacey

[Olly]

Sorry to hear it's not worked out. I think you may need to go back a stage - keep them separated, but let them see each other - free-ranging together under supervision, and possibly feeding scattered treats - so they can't hog them, I mean seeds or something similar, rather than fruit that they can snatch and run off with. You may need to keep this going for a couple of weeks and just slow the pace down, before you try putting them together again.

[gongladosh]

if you can move the coops closer that'd help - you'll need to build a secure run for the temporary coop. They need to be close to each other as they don't just need to see each other, they need to be able to get used to each other's smell - when we did introductions recently, we had our eglu 2 feet away from the cube.

[staceychristie]

Thanks for your advice. We did leave the new girls in the proper cube and run, and as the originals nearly always freerange when we're here, they'd already squared up to them through the mesh for a day or two, but then ignored them completely - passing close by with no incident.

We'd then gradually introduced them together after about a week.

They'd quite happily avoid each other if any 'excitement' occurred, but none of them were violent, or caused any really fights.

We then popped them all in the cube/run together after about 2 weeks, while we were here, for 20mins, 1hour, 2 hours etc etc. We'd set up CDs 2 feeders, and 2 drinkers, and pecka block.

They seemed to get on ok, and there was no real hassle apart from the odd 'I'm the boss' squark, but no feather pecks.

It was only when I came back and noticed no one in the run - I was concerned, and then they all came down from the cube - one with a bloody beak (oddly enough, it was the boss of the new 3 girls).

Think I'll have to try again, but they've been really plucked.

 

Thanks again,

 

Stacey

[Clur]

It can take several weeks, so don't lose heart. You're doing everything right, so just go back a stage and see how it goes.

[sandyhas3chucks]

they are all so different.... mine take "as long as it takes" 2 weeks 2 months. I would go for more feeders and drinkers cheap coop cups when you do and something in the run that they can get up on and behind always helps. especialy where space is an issue.,

[Ain't Nobody Here]

It's horrible when it goes wrong like that, poor you . I agree with the others, you just need to take it back a stage and be patient. I would keep having a trial run putting them together every week or so while you're about to supervise.

 

I think it took about 7-8 weeks for mine to be completely OK with each other .

[Plum]

It may not have been vicious they may just be enjoying the taste of blood from the quills of growing feathers. Perhaps invest in some Ukadex or similar to stop it becoming a habit especially if it's one of the new girls doing it to her mates.

[staceychristie]

I take heart in all your replies - thanks so much for taking the time - it's appreciated.

 

I've taken them all back to school of etiquette. They've been ok today (knickers blown insideout as it's sooo windy).

Covered them (and me) in Getian spray and vets powder.

I'll keep you all posted, and thanks again - I thought it was me.......

 

Stacey X