gavclojak Posted July 28, 2015 Author Share Posted July 28, 2015 Thanks DM, if you were me would you continue to keep them seperate for a few weeks or just get the intros over and down with, I usually keep apart but this is a new one on me. They can see each other through the fence but your right I think the noise is the dominant newbie and the oldies growling at one another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 28, 2015 Share Posted July 28, 2015 Are they in good condition for ex-batts? If they are, then I would stick to a minimum of a week to get them wormed and treated for lice, and calming down a bit. Feed some treats like corn or mealworms along the line of their run to get them used to each other. Then let them out together, doubling up on the food and water stations, and providing some greenery for them to hide under. Do this when you're around to supervise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted July 28, 2015 Author Share Posted July 28, 2015 Thanks again DM, the hobby one who I assume has been top hen is in really good condition, the other two are fair. Sorry for all the questions but I usually wait a week or so before i worm etc just to give them a chance to get over the stress. Shall I just get on with it now? Sorry again:( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 28, 2015 Share Posted July 28, 2015 If they are in otherwise good condition then I would worm them now while they are still confined to the run. Let the others free range around them so they can eyeball each other. They sound as if they are keen to get out and socialise, but don't rush it, and be prepared to segregate again if there's too much fighting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted July 28, 2015 Author Share Posted July 28, 2015 (edited) I'm in no hurry, I have a sectioned off area and a zillion food/water vessels. I am happy for it to take as long as it takes. They are quieter today so I hope it will continue that way! I will worm and ivermectin them tomorrow. Thanks again for your advice everyone, it's invaluable as always and even when you think you know what your doing it's always nice to get it confirmed by you lovely lot x Edited July 28, 2015 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 28, 2015 Share Posted July 28, 2015 My theory is that sometimes you are so close to the coal face that you can't see the issue clearly; I do it too. Phil sometimes points something bleedingobvious out to me, and says 'but you teach people about that all the time'. I guess that we don't always stand back and see the whole situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted July 29, 2015 Author Share Posted July 29, 2015 Yep your right DM, I can't see the wood for the trees sometimes. Well I do think we have progress, for the last few days I have gone out at 7-15 and I have let them out, this morning the oldies are having a bit of a freerange and are grazing and complete silence, yesterday was a lot better so I think/hope most of the gesturing is behind us? Having said that, as soon as the new girls dare to come anywhere near the perimeter fence the oldies run over and give them what for!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 29, 2015 Share Posted July 29, 2015 That's normal, and you should keep them apart for as long as that goes on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted August 2, 2015 Author Share Posted August 2, 2015 So after my meltdown last week my new girls have been an absolute dream, I let them out around 7-15 am and they are as quiet as a mouse! Bless them. Im still no way close to intros at the moment as the oldies still try to attack them through the fence but the newbies are very sweet and are eating out of my hand already Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 That's good news . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 Brilliant news Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted August 2, 2015 Author Share Posted August 2, 2015 Thank you! And a special thank you to DM, your calming words last week really did help and you were absolutely right it did get better. They Really are very such sweet little girls and I feel very protective of them. I don't want to try the intros yet and I know they are going to get beaten up:(( Watch this space Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 It is important to take things slowly with ex batts; they tend to be a bit lacking on the social skills, and if they are in poor condition, they need to build up and gain muscle tone before attempting an introduction. Time and patience Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted August 2, 2015 Author Share Posted August 2, 2015 Indeed, it's funny, my oldest top girl is chilled out,she sits next to the perimeter fence close to them, it's her two cohorts that are the problem. I guess they don't want to lose their place in the pecking order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 It is important to take things slowly with ex batts; they tend to be a bit lacking on the social skills, and if they are in poor condition, they need to build up and gain muscle tone before attempting an introduction. Time and patience Good advice. My new ones got in a real state last night when it was bedtime. In the end I had to put them in the eglu they had all cuddled up in the corner of the WIR. This morning they wouldn't come out. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...