Wanted - Eglu Cube Mk1 Roosting Bars

[loumabel]

One of my ex batts Daisy has been poorly. She has been away from her girls for two weeks now and in my hospital wing. Thankfully she seems to be on the mend now and after an hour of her shrieking like a seagull in my office this morning I decided it might be time for her to go back outside and see her friends. I put her in the section at the back of the WIR where they could see her but not get to her and left some food and water in with her. When it came to freeranging time I let her out with her friends and it started off ok then all hell broke loose. Daisy and Lupin had a set to and that seemed to be resolved very quickly, then Daisy and Marigold had a s"Ooops, word censored!" and both were pecking and grabbing each others combs and Marigold got a s"Ooops, word censored!"ped comb as a result but still seemed to emerge the winner and Daisy backed down and continued to back down when marigold had another go at her. I have put vaseline on both their combs and put Daisy at the back on her own again but they can still see each other and are still puffing up either side of the mesh and trying to peck each other. Should I just carry on as I am and let them freerange together and seperate them in the WIR?? How many days should I do this for?? I have looked for the info on intro's but can't seem to find it. Daisy was top hen before she became poorly but that seems to have changed now. Any advice on a stress free intro would be gratefully received. Also will she be ok in the cat carrier overnight in the WIR or should I bring her back in for the night and bring her out again in the morning? Sorry for all the questions.

[chicken bark]

I'd suggest firstly introducing Daisy to one of the more tolerant ones in the rest of the group. Then when they are happy together try introducing the pair back to the rest - that way Daisy has an ally.

 

I guess it will be harder for her if she was top hen.

[loumabel]

There are only three of them in total including Daisy so I can't seperate them. Anyway breaking all rules, I let them have another free range this afternoon and there was no more trouble, so I shut them back in and sat in the WIR with them and again no more trouble so I left them alone for about an hour and when I went back down they were all tucked up in the together I think that bodes well for tomorrow Daisy also seems to be drinking her medication now its in the proper drinker and she wouldnt touch it before.

[chicken bark]

That sounds good. Guess she was just reasserting herself. Glad she is on the mend too.