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

[gavclojak]

I have kept flora and fauna apart from the big girls for the first week then allowed them to free range together, all went extremely well, the odd peck but no chasing.

 

I have several water vessels and about twenty gravity feeder (well three) lots of perches, escape routes etc.

 

I have opened the door to the divider and let the girls in and out of each others enclosures for an hour or so for the last few days and they have kind of mingled, one of the big girls Barbara is very sweet with them and they follow her around like a big momma, she wants to be with them and they with her but the other two big girls are not interested at all.

 

I think the only girl who will be a problem is Betty, she gives them evils every time they come near her and a Sharp peck to the rear end....but having said that the new girls are very fast and agile

 

Shall I carry on doing this for a few weeks and then hope they all end up in the cube, I don't want to force things but would like them in together in a month or so as having to clean out a rabbit hutch after having a cube is heinous

 

Any other tips would be gratefully received...thank you

[Valkyrie]

I think it sounds all very genteel!

Personally I would say it's a success during the day. I'd probably pick a cold night to move them into the cube and when all are well sleepy. They are used to each other's smell during the day so no reason for alarm at night. The pecky one might peck initially - she's just maintaining her position, so try and place them behind the friendly girl if you can.

[sjp]

I'd give it another week with full access to the cube etc then close the access to their house and see what happens

I find that my lot kick off after a week or so once the newbies find their feet. my 2 Easter hatched pullets are just about accepted after about a month their are a least not trying to hide in plain sight. but the CLB still wont put herself to bed the LS will once in a while if the weathers really bad