3.6m Omlet Chicken Run for sale, Brand New in Boxes, Milton Keynes (MK19)

[johnandkymberley]

Okay have had the new girls since friday 24th, the 1st night they went into the cube but we thought it might be better in the eglu, so they have been in there since saturday night. They have free ranged with the others and are really getting tame, crouching etc they do some chasing etc when daisy crouches though they will peck on her back. They still tried to get in the cube tonight, but we took them out, when is the pecking order sorted? and when would it be okay to let them in together? Chryssie and Daisy have laid soft eggs today, violet is such a cutie and doesnt get scared by the others etc. any advice greatly appreciated xx

[Plum]

Sounds like they are ready. Why not see what happens

[Olly]

The pecking order won't really be sorted until they are all in together. If they can free range fairly calmly and there's no obvious bullying, then try putting them together and keeping a close eye to see what happens. It's normal that your two new girls will try and hide, stay out of the way, and will be shouted at and occasionally given a peck to keep them in their place - that's what happens. As long as there's no blood being drawn, they will sort themselves out.

[johnandkymberley]

Im a bit scared though that they wont be able to protect themselves, shall i wait until they are all laying eggs?

[beach chick]

I would let them get on with it now, the sooner they are integrated the easier your life will be; and if they are FRing reasonably happily it sounds fine.

[ThinkingChickens]

Gosh, if they are already free ranging nicely together you may have skipped the whole bullying stage. My new girls (six weeks) and older girls (22 weeks) are separate but can see each other. If one of the chicks gets too close to the side of the pen the big ones peck at them. Ugh! I say it sounds like your girls are already sorted.

[johnandkymberley]

Okay, i think i am going to go home and put them into bed together for tonight and let them out early, fingers crossed for me!!!

[beach chick]

how did it go? is all quiet on the chicken front?

[johnandkymberley]

well we went home last night - got in about 10.30, covered the hens in anti-pek - like used a whole bottle! then popped them in, there were a few pecks that we could see but no noise until 7am this morning, bit louder than usual but okay, so let them out and they have been ok together, sharing treats etc there are still squaks now and again, about 4 so far but they are eating together, they are going back in at about 5.30 as i am going to zumba. So will see how they get on, i love them as a flock of 10 though, they look so good together! and i cant wait to get the eglu down, the cube needs a clean so will prob do that this weekend and hopefully everything will be smooth until they are fully "friends"!!!