Eglu Go With 2m Run For Sale

[_barnes]

Hi there.

 

I'm the father of a couple of chickens, Margot and Babs, whom you may have heard of through my girlfriend, who also uses this forum.

 

Right now I'm on the brink of making an incredibly tough choice between going on a holiday and spending 12 days away from the chickens, or using that time to supervise them. My girlfriend has to travel to work, which means on a weekday she'll spend almost 12 hours away from the house and unable to give the chickens any supervision.

 

This is a problem because our chicken Babs is a complete bully toward Margot. Babs will spend an unhealthy proportion of her time stalking Margot, such that as soon as Margot goes to eat anything Babs will peck at her and chase her away from the food source, no matter how much food Babs could get from other places. This is a worry for us because it's been less than five days that we've had the chickens and yet Margot is almost unable to get any decent amount of food, having been deterred from eating by Babs. We need to separate Babs in order for Margot to get the food she needs.

 

The holiday has been booked in advance at some expense, so I'm wondering how things have turned out with anyone else who has had similar experiences. Is Margot likely to stand up for herself enough to get the food she needs? Will the problems sort themselves out without our intervention? Could it be unhealthy for Margot to be left alone with Babs?

 

I'd immensely appreciate any advice that can be given ASAP, as this decision needs to be made very soon. Do you think I should go, or stay?

 

(As an aside, we've tried tricks such as two feeders on either end of the run. Babs acts like a stalker to Margot and keeps a keen eye on her activity most of the time).

[Egluntyne]

How soon is the holiday planned? If it isn't for a week or two, things may have sorted themselves out.

 

Perhaps you could ring up some method for dividing the run, like the one shown here for during the daytime, whilst your girlfriend is away.

[Olly]

Go. By the time you come back, they will probably be the best of friends. Can I suggest that you don't try and separate them. They need to establish who is 'top' chicken and once that's sorted out they will settle down. Have a great holiday!

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Have you got more than one feeder available? (You imply that but I wasn't sure!) Having two might give Margot a chance of getting food while Babs is eating.

 

As your girlfriend is back each evening to check on things, I'd say you should go. It's really not worth wasting the money you've spent .

 

Hope you have a good holiday .

[Plum]

and ask around your friends to borrow a rabbit hutch then if blood is drawn your girlfriend will be able to seperate them if necessary.

[squiffs]

Hi everyone - he's off on his jollies today, short notice, but I only got told on Weds evening myself! Can anyone give me suggestions - re. the run being sectioned off, of how I can put shade on both halves? It's been getting REALLY hot the past few days and the shade only provides shade in one or other of the halves of the run depending on the time of day - any suggestions for materials that won't cook/swelter/stifle the chooks but will give a fair amount of shade to both chooks if separated?

 

 

Thanks!

[Egluntyne]

I drape an old duvet cover and fasten it with pegs as a shade when the weather is this hot. It is like Death Valley here today. I also douse it with water periodically to keep things cool.