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

[good_egg]

....I feel like a very bad chicken mummy.. I've just rehomed Annette her bullying of Connie got even worse today. She was actively seeking her out to torment and anti peck etc had no effect. I wanted to give her a fair chance but Connie was miserable and being forced to wander the sun of the garden alone as Annette wasn't letting her in the shade. A friend offered to try and integrate her into their flock. I feel bad as I know one hen into a new flock will be stressful for Annette, but the friend is very experienced... The only bit of good news is the other three are happily dust bathing and harmony has returned. I also keep telling myself if she had stayed where we got her she wouldn't have made it this far as she hasn't ever laid etc.

 

Am I a horrible chicken mum?

[gavclojak]

You really don't need to ask, you rehomed her for the greater good, it really isn't fair and must have been so stressful for the poor bullied girl in this heat. Lets hope she has a little taste if her own medicine in her new flock then settles in at the bottom of the pecking order! X

[jackian]

You have done the right thing .You had the other girls to think of .

Just think of girls in a school playground when there is a bully ..There was always one when I was at school.You would not have wanted that to carry on and hopefully it would have been dealt with ... and chickens can't tell any one about it .

 

Jackie

[good_egg]

Thankyou so much for replying. Needed a little boost. They are all looking so comfortable now - that makes it easier.

[daxigirl]

You've done the right thing.

 

I underwent this decision last year with Mavis as she was terrorising little Kazoo and PeeWee as soon as she'd gone harmony reigned in the bantie kingdom. She went off to live with Chook n Boo and is now a mum. Just thinking the same things about b.... face Kindle who bossing everyone since Evil Edna went broody. Not doing very well on the re intros of Edna and her son Eddie, it's taking for ever.

[Eggasperated]

As everyone has said you definitely did the right thing, I rehomed a serial feather plucker to an animal park where she would be with a cockerel, and she doesn't sound anywhere near as bad as your Annabel. Not allowing Connie into the shade must really have been the last straw.

[PoachedPlease]

Daxi how old is the chick you are trying to introduce? I have been trying to introduce my 2 6 week old chicks and their mum back into the flock for weeks now, but they all get pecked and harassed by the big girls. I wouldn't do it do early if the chicks had no mum, but you'd think she would help sort it, but she is obviously back to the bottom of the pecking order too! 22 weeks seems a long time to wait, especially as that means returning mum on her own first.

 

Xx

[Valkyrie]

When we hatched the chicks were allowed out under supervision with the big girls. Initially mum and babes kept away but occasionally paths crossed. Second in command always showed them that they were not to get high opinions of themselves and they ran back to mum, but I think we were generally lucky. They were all dirt bathing together when about 4 weeks. They did have a run to themselves and could be seen by the older girls. At 6 weeks their mum died and they were very quickly adopted by their aunties. Phew!

[Luvachicken]

You are a very good chicken mummy and that is why you've done what you needed to.

You are lucky that you could rehome her with someone else. Mine had to have a new house and live at the other end of the run away from my pekins - and this was pretty costly, but peace reigns now thank goodness.

 

I'm sure your remaining girls will be much happier without her.

[coco]

You did the right thing. I had an ex bat Lola that terrorised the entire flock, Itried everything with her but in the end rehomed her with someone who had a large field that she could FR on. The other hens were much happier without her.

[newcountrygirl]

Definately the right thing. I had a problem with Gladys - so she went to live across the road at my friends and integrated with 3 new chickens straight away. I then suffered a problem with my Polish frizzle being pecked. Ended up putting her in another run with a frizzle friend. I then got a cockerel for my other 4 girls - and they adore him.

[good_egg]

Thanks everyone, you are all lovely. Can rely on this forum. All is good in henhouse - treats scoffed with no bickering and all three girls have been lounging in a big chicken pile. I feel much less stressed now I'm not worrying each morning what I'll come down too.

[good_egg]

Apparently Annette is settling in well and they are all sleeping in the one house tonight (6 plus her)... I'm so glad, but also have a touch of guilt/sadness that I could have tried more... In our cube our three look quite small - Dorothy has tucked herself under Buffy's wing.

[Mrs_B]

Oh hun, you poor thing! I bet you do feel horrible (I would have too!) BUT you know you have done the right thing. You care hugely for every chicken, so you want what's best! I think this was a really great opportinty for you so each chicken can be happy.

 

I bet it's been nice a relaxing for your other girls And it's great to hear Annette is settling into another flock so quickly.

 

I've had to resort to bumpa bits on some of my ladies - they still cause so much stress don't they - over a year on for us and nothing much has changed!

 

x

[good_egg]

Mrs_B - Thankyou!! i know sensible option, but cant help feeling guilty and wondering what if....? I thought of you last year when they started fighting! I ordered bumpa bits but they haven't arrived yet... Something else for the store cupboard - hopefully I won't need! Annette put herself to bed with her new flock last night so looks like she is settling well. My three here are all enjoying a colder day. Never gets easier with these girls does it... It's so nice that there is always help on here though and I do particularly follow your posts as we started at the same time... Are you planning to try intros with your new orps?

[Mrs_B]

Ah bless you, hun. The bumpa bits aren't easy for those of us who are nervous and worried about hurting our chickens - I was terrified! Hopefully you won't need them BUT they are there just in case. I've just had a shed put up as the potting shed was being filled with so many chicken related items we couldn't move in there I've just bought some scale mite lotion as I am suspicious of Lady's feet as two scales have become sore (though I am sure she's done this to herself as she's a little crazy at trying to get at the Orps!! She's even broken the front of her beak ) So that's another pot to add to the collection of other potions and lotions.

 

I'm not going to intro them until the flock gets smaller. I don't think the wooden house would fit all of them when they're fully grown. Three of the big girls have suddenly decided to perch when in bed even after a year of all 4 sleeping in the nest box so room is now limited But there's plenty of room in the WIR with two sections so am happy to keep them separate for now.

 

I also follow your posts as I think we've definitely experienced similar things with this roller-coaster of a hobby. My OH knows exactly who I mean when I mention the name 'Good Egg'

 

Hope you girls are OK? Have you heard anything more about Annette?

 

x