Mrs Potts Posted March 24, 2012 Share Posted March 24, 2012 Hello. I collected three ex-barn hens today from BHWT today, to go with my lone hen (also ex-BHWT). The advice I had on collection was to put all four of them together immediately and let them sort it out. I'm not an expert but I had planned to keep Leia and the Other Three separate for a few days, let Leia free range as she does, then sort of introduce them via free ranging and house them together afterwards, at some wonderfully sunny, soft focussed point during the following weeks. One of the Other Three - Alice/Malice - has had goes at Leia each other through the run bars, whilst Leia was free ranging, which is only to be expected. However, Malice has duffed over the other two constantly since arrival over in their own run, which I also expected, but she won't let the other two into their sleeping quarters - even now, while it is dark. So I have one bald one sitting on top of their sleeping box, and another one who has been duffed over about 30 times as she tries to get in and stay in. She's very submissive, bows her head and submits to Malice's pinning her to the floor, but then Malice gets behind her and shoves her out. So ... best to - go out now and put them all in Leia's house now and let them get on with it in the WIR in the morning - keep them separate and try to do it slowly - put the two docile ones in with Leia so that gets sorted out and then introduce Malice a day or two after - put Malice in and let her and Leia fight it out - what? Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted March 24, 2012 Share Posted March 24, 2012 Oh dear, I'm sorry things aren't going well for you and your girls. I'm sorry too that I can't offer any advice but someone more knowledgeable will come along soon. Hope things sort themselves out soon for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Potts Posted March 24, 2012 Author Share Posted March 24, 2012 Thank you for your kind thought, especially in view of your recent news about Poppy. The bullying has got worse and there were two bald hens sitting on the sleeping quarters roof, shivering, so I have put Malice in her own cat basket for the night. She's got lots of bedding and the other two sweeties are now snuggled together. Leia's fast asleep in the Classic. Start again tomorrow. Deep sigh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted March 24, 2012 Share Posted March 24, 2012 At least they will get a good nights rest. Have you tried the anti-peck spray yet ? That might help a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted March 24, 2012 Share Posted March 24, 2012 I'm no expert but I think I'd have done exactly what you've done for tonight. See how the 2 quieter ones are with Leia and if they seem ok, I'd keep Alice separate until she gets off her high horse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Potts Posted March 24, 2012 Author Share Posted March 24, 2012 Thanks, Cheeky. Actually, I think you are an expert - every time I read one of your posts you've either got more hens or another square metre of run for us all to drool over ... and sometimes both! How have you managed to avoid handbags at 50 paces with all of yours? Mrs Potts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted March 24, 2012 Share Posted March 24, 2012 I really think with my lot it's down to the fact that they're bantams. I had hybrids years ago and introductions were just horrendous These bantie girls are a lot calmer and friendlier than any chickens I've had in the past...even Dotty who's a grumpy grot bag isn't actually aggressive. I think having lots of things hanging for them to peck at and branches to sit on also helps...as does feeding mash rather than pellets because they feed throughout the day...there's always something to keep them occupied Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackian Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 We introduced 2 to 2 about 8 weeks ago and kept them seperate for about a week .FR each seperately as well. The first day Poppy an "old girl" screamed constantly for 3 hours ..The noise was dreadful , each day got less , a bit of pecking but only to maintain an order .after a week we let them out together at times .It took about 3 weeks in all I reckon and they are now fine and are now best mates. I have read on here though of putting a placid one with a new one so maybe that would work . Good Luck . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Potts Posted March 25, 2012 Author Share Posted March 25, 2012 Hello - what a lovely morning! Have bitten bullet and introduced Leia to the docile two. I had put Lottie and Duffy's sleeping quarters in Leia's walk in run (WIR + extension) last night. This morning I put a mini bench - about two feet long and foot and a bit high - in the middle of the run to provide running around space and shelter. Have set up a separate feeding station. There's grass hanging in a swing thing (for Leia) and the usual corner of branches. Let Leia out and it took her about twenty minutes to mooch around and fix them with her beady eye. She's sat on them both but particularly gone for Duffy - sorry, the name has stuck - who really got it in the neck yesterday (is that where the phrase comes from?). Duffy laid an egg whilst being cornered, which Leia then spent fifteen minutes eating. I have put Duffy back in her sleeping box; she was shaking. Best thing just to leave her to get over it? Leia leaves her alone is she is in there. I've watched for about another half an hour - Leia has walloped Lottie twice times, but has won each time, so hopefully she is on way to being their boss hen. It's not constant and Lottie has fed and watered well; Duffy has eaten a little bit. I put Alice back into the separate run, along with food and water. She was sneezing a lot and has done a runny poo and her eyes kept closing, so I gave a bit of a warm towel rub and hand fed her some crumb. She got up and fed and drank and is now having a bath in some wood shavings in the cat basket, so I think she is going to be ok. She is going to be a long intro, I think, as I want her to be well first. Just going to keep an eye on Duffy. Will leave a handful of crumb in the corner of her bed. Any advice still welcome through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 Poor you, I don't think it was good advice you were given to put them together straight away. It works for some but to be honest a slow introduction keeping them seperate at first does seem to avoid a lot of the trauma. Having said that and rereading your posts I get a bit muddled but it seems it's the new girls not getting on with eachother as well as Leia Good luck today, a squirter of water may help a bit. Stress can bring out sneezles and runs with introductions so it may be worth giving them a supplement as well to boost immunity and have one yourself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 In my experience, rescue girls can be quite aggressive when it comes to introductions, so don't despair. It has always taken mine about 3 weeks for things to settle down and peace to break out - so just continue with your good work so far Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Potts Posted March 25, 2012 Author Share Posted March 25, 2012 Thank you, everyone. Sorry for all the confusing posts, some of which have grammar errors in. Quite frankly, if you thought I had four hens in four separate runs I wouldn't be surprised (now hey, there's an idea ...). Leia, Lottie and Duffy are in the WIR. Lottie and Duffie have their own sleeping quarters as shelter from Leia's sporadic pecking. Leia doesn't do it all the time, but after about five minutes of having them in her eyesight I think she feels duty bound to peck them. She is as slow as an elephant but if they haven't moved by the time she gets to them - ouch. I've let Leia free range three or four times today for half an hour each time, which allows Lottie and Duffie to feed, forage through the chips for goodies and have a drink. They are responding to me when I talk to them; one of them is purring, which I hope is positive. The other one sounds like a door with a perpetual creak; I think she is telling me all about it ... No blood drawn, so hope that this continues/settles - they are certainly being better treated by Leia than they were Alice Malice. A-M is in a run on her own and very happy, thank you. For such a toughie she is the worst looking hen, bald bum and stalks rather than feathers, so probably used to having to fight for things. She laid an egg too, bless her, and has stopped sneezing. I wish I had some gin - have to go and make do with tea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 Sounds like it's all going well though Mrs P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Potts Posted March 26, 2012 Author Share Posted March 26, 2012 Lottie and Gracie have put themselves to bed in Leia's classic. Leia is still giving them the odd duffing over, but they are dodging and it only seems to be now and then - not permanent and Leia and Gracie were feeding side by side today. Will have to be up at crack of to open the Classic ... or best to leave it open? A-M is in the kitchen tonight - think it is too cold for her on her own and I cannot insulate her box easily, so thought best to bring her in. She's asleep. It's going to be close to freezing round here tonight and she has very few feathers. They've all laid eggs, but Lottie's laid two softies. Going off to read up about what I can do to help her there. Two introductions down, one to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 Well done over the hill with those two . Alice will be getting used to the others while in her area. I'd feel grumpy if I was cold, poor chicky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
