Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[the-marks]

Hi all,

 

I would be really grateful for any advice. To try and cut a long story short, after going to the hen sitters for their holiday, my two originals returned with two new girls and moved into the new cube (my orignal girls were previsouly in a classic). I'd been advised that as it was a change in environment and different / new home that I could put them all in together and they should be OK. There was a little pecking the first evening, but they all went to bed and settled. All seemed OK, but then....

 

Yesterday things gradually deteriorated and I ended up dividing the cube run while they were in the run and let them mix when they were in the extended fenced off bit. Again, some pecking but nothing too bad. However, when bed time came, there was some major scuffles and disagreements. Eventually with lots of encouragement, they all settled in the cube. I left the door open so they could get out.

 

This morning when I got up I found the two original girls were constantly chasing the new ones and pecking them. So, again, I have divided the run while I am at work.

 

So, I now have the dilemma that seeing as I have started putting them in together, do I perceive? I could put the old girls back in the classic tonight and continue with the divided run - but is this a backward step? Or I could put the new girls in the classic and keep the orignals in the cube.

 

To date, no blood has been drawn. I also have two feeding and drinking stations.

 

I knew introductions would be stressful but never imagined they would be this bad! The idea of the quick fix was very appealing - with hindsight I wish I'd adopted the slowly slowly approach! Any advice on possible ways forward would be really appreciated.

 

many thanks

 

Mark

[squiffs]

Hi Mark, don't be afraid to take a step back.

 

I've got 3 'sets' of hens, my original omlet pair, 2 silkies, 4 hybrids from a farm. (oh and a feisty ex-batt, but she's another story).

 

I have found that letting them see each other is the best way to start, gradually letting them out around each others' runs, then letting them free range together, and then finally supervising an afternoon in the cube run to see how they get on in confined spaces.

 

Finally, this week, all 6 of my hybrids are sleeping in the cube together, with only minor 'oi, get away from that it's mine!' pecks and bickering The silkies can also hold their own in there provided they've got space to get away, but one can't manage the cube ladder, so they'll be staying in their eglu.

 

I got my new hybrids on 25th August, so I think the rule that 'peace breaks out around 3 weeks' is a good one to go by. As long as they get used to one another and realise that each other is here to stay and not a threat, they will eventually get better.

 

I tried to introduce Xena the ex-batt to some of the chickens this weekend, and it's clear she's going to need to be kept away from the Silkies and the intros will probably take just as long as they did with Babs and Margot, but you'll never know what stage you're at without trying it, and then taking a step back if it doesn't work. Be persistant and firm, if no blood has been drawn then I would leave them to it when you're around, but definitely separate them if you're away for periods of time

[Tweety]

Hi Mark, have you read the advice about introductions in the FAQs about chickens? I would separate them, put one lot in the eglu and the others in the Cube, within sight of each other, and gradually introduce them as per the forum advice.

Some have had success with the quick method of introductions, But I have always followed the gradual method and it has worked well.

Good luck!

[Bramble]

Hi Mark! I feel your pain! I'm just in the process of integrating three newbies with three "residents". I'd second (or should that be third!) everything tweety and squiffs have said, but would just add that it's WELL worthwhile making sure you have extra food and drink "stations" around, so that hopefully you will avoid one flock guarding food and water at the expense of others, it just helps everyone to learn to share!!!

[Redwing]

There is no real right or wrong answer here, plenty of people take the 'merge them all together straight away' approach and get away with it, others dont

 

If your hindsight says that it would have been better to take things more slowly then I'd probably follow your instincts and split them up especially since you arent around all the time to supervise

[the-marks]

Thanks everyone for your advice. It's so reassuring to know there's advice out there when needed!

 

I'm glad to say things seem better. I decided to let the girls mix together in the run and extended area last night when I got home from work. There was certainly less squabbling - but this may have been due to me patrolling the garden, in the heavy rain!! Therefore i decided to once again let them roost together. Bed time resulted in a few more scuffles but they settled eventually and when I poked my head in late last night, three were cuddled up - just the biggest bully left by herself. I've separated them in the run again today and this was done without incident - so far so good today!

 

Certainly feeling better this morning than yesterday morning! No longer thinking of selling everythings and having a holiday to recover! Thanks again for all advice!

[Alis girls]

I did it the segregated way as I work - my 2 originals were in one bit of Eglu and my new girl in the other for 2weeks. They spent 2 weeks glaring at each other - then I lost one of my originals and decided to go for it. The barriers came down and water pistol came out and away we went - some pecking - I have left the extra food and water feeders out - now OH wants another hen (hes got Morehens bad ) and I think I would go for the "put em in together and hope for the best approach" OH will be sitting out in all weathers with his water pistol at the ready As you can tell despite 18months as a chicken mummy I am still learning and am not confident in my abilities - but look at advice on forum and decide whats best for your setup. oh and good luck

[the-marks]

Hi all - I'm so pleased! The girls have been more settled today - just some odd squabbling. I've still kept them separated while at work but have let them mix when around to supervise. However, when it came to bed time - they all went up into the cube and settled without any disagreements!! When I peered in, they were all happily roosting side by side! Fingers crossed this is the start of things to come!!